Cytoplasm

In eukaryotic cells, the cytoplasm is the area between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope.

Since prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, the cytoplasm refers to everything enclosed within the plasma membrane.

In both cell types, the cytoplasmic space is filled up by a gel-like matrix called the cytosol.

The cytosol is an aqueous solution that contains many soluble ions, small molecules, and macromolecules.

The cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells also includes numerous membrane-bound organelles that perform specialized cellular functions, such as the mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi apparatus.

A framework of protein fibers present in the cytoplasm – the cytoskeleton, gives the cell its shape and structure. It also helps in intracellular transport and cell motility.

In addition, many non-organelle cellular functions, such as protein synthesis, also take place in the cytoplasm. The aqueous nature of the cytoplasm facilitates protein folding by repelling hydrophobic amino acid side-groups into the protein core.

Some cells also store insoluble metabolic products like glycogen in their cytoplasm in the form of inclusions.