Sitoplazmas

Sitoplazmas, known as the cytoplasm, is the material inside a cell bounded by the plasma membrane, excluding the nucleus in eukaryotic cells. In prokaryotes there is no defined nucleus, so the cytoplasm encompasses all the interior contents of the cell, including the region where the genetic material resides (the nucleoid).

The cytoplasm consists of the cytosol, a jelly-like fluid that suspends organelles, enzymes, nutrients, and ions, together with the organelles themselves in eukaryotic cells. It also contains ribosomes, which can be free-floating or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum, and the cytoskeleton, a network of protein filaments that give the cell shape and pathways for movement. Plant cells may also contain large central vacuoles within the cytoplasm, while mitochondria, chloroplasts, lysosomes, peroxisomes, and other organelles are typically embedded in it.

Functions of the cytoplasm are diverse. It is the site of many metabolic pathways, including glycolysis and other steps of energy production in the cytosol. It hosts protein synthesis on ribosomes and provides the environment for the folding, modification, and transport of proteins. The cytoplasm also serves as a medium for intracellular transport, with motor proteins moving along cytoskeletal tracks to position organelles and deliver molecules where needed. Additionally, it helps maintain cell shape and participates in signal transduction and responses to environmental changes.

The cytoplasm is a dynamic and crowded, yet organized, space. Its composition and behavior can vary among cell types and states, reflecting the cell’s physiology and needs.