citoplazmi

Citoplazmi (cytoplasm) refers to the material inside a cell that is bounded by the plasma membrane and lies outside the nucleus. It consists of the cytosol, a gel‑like aqueous medium, and the organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes, and ribosomes. The nucleus is not part of the cytoplasm.

The cytosol contains water, ions, nutrients, metabolites, and soluble enzymes, and hosts many metabolic pathways, including glycolysis. It provides the internal environment in which these reactions occur and helps transmit signals within the cell.

Organelles within the cytoplasm carry out specialized tasks. Mitochondria generate most of the cell’s ATP through respiration; the endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes synthesize proteins and lipids; the Golgi apparatus processes, modifies, and sorts macromolecules for secretion or delivery to other organelles; lysosomes and peroxisomes break down waste products and detoxify harmful compounds. In plant cells, plastids such as chloroplasts are also found in the cytoplasm and contribute to photosynthesis and storage.

The cytoskeleton, a network of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules, provides structural support, helps maintain cell shape, organizes organelles, and enables movement and intracellular transport.

In prokaryotes, the cytoplasm contains ribosomes and the components of most metabolic pathways but lacks membrane‑bound organelles. Dysfunction in cytoplasmic components or their organization can affect energy production, transport, and cell morphology, contributing to various diseases.