nukleoplazma

Nukleoplazma, also known as karyolymph or nuclear sap, is the granular, somewhat viscous substance that fills the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell. It is enclosed by the nuclear envelope, a double membrane that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm. Nukleoplazma is not a homogenous fluid but rather a complex solution containing a variety of molecules essential for nuclear function.

Within the nukleoplazma, key components include dissolved ions, enzymes, and proteins. The genetic material, DNA, is organized into chromosomes, which are also suspended in the nukleoplazma. During interphase, the period between cell divisions, the DNA exists as chromatin, a decondensed form that is accessible for transcription. Ribonucleoproteins, which are complexes of RNA and proteins, are also abundant. These play crucial roles in RNA processing and ribosome biogenesis.

The primary functions of nukleoplazma are to provide a medium for biochemical reactions within the nucleus and to house and organize the cell's genetic material. It is the site of DNA replication and transcription, the processes by which genetic information is copied and used to synthesize RNA, respectively. The viscosity and composition of nukleoplazma can vary depending on the cell type and its metabolic state, reflecting its dynamic nature and its integral role in cellular processes.