Tsütoplasmasse

Tsütoplasmasse is the plural form of tsütoplasm, a term used particularly in Estonian language contexts to denote the contents of a cell that are surrounded by the cytomembrane but are not the nucleus. In a biological sense, cytoplasm comprises all material within the plasma membrane, excluding the nucleus, and it serves as the site for many biochemical reactions vital to cellular function. It contains a watery medium known as cytosol, where organelles such as mitochondria, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and peroxisomes are suspended. The cytoskeleton—a network of protein filaments—provides structural support, defines cell shape, and facilitates intracellular transport and cell division.

The composition of cytoplasm varies between cell types. For example, plant cells contain a large central vacuole that occupies significant cytoplasmic space, whereas animal cells feature a more dispersed distribution of organelles. Cytoplasm also plays key roles in metabolic pathways, including glycolysis and fermentation, as well as in the assembly of protein complexes and signal transduction.

In microscopy, cytoplasm can be highlighted using cytoplasmic stains such as methylene blue or toluidine blue, allowing for visualization of cellular architecture. Advances in fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy have elucidated detailed arrangements of cytoplasmic components, contributing to our understanding of cellular dynamics.

The study of cytoplasm, or tsütoplasmasse, continues to be fundamental in cell biology, genetics, and medical research, informing insights into disease mechanisms, such as cancer progression, where alterations in cytoplasmic protein interactions and cytoskeletal organization are often observed.