Cytoplasm - MedFriendly.com

Cytoplasm is a gel-like substance (shown here) found inside the membrane (outer surface) of a cell. A cell is the smallest, most basic unit of life, that is capable of existing by itself. The fluid part of cytoplasm is known as cytochylema. The more solid substance in the cytoplasms is known as spongioplasm. For organisms known as eukaryotes, cytoplasm contains all of the structures (known as organelles) in the cell except for the nucleus, which is the cell’s control center. Humans and other complex organisms such as other animals, plants, and fungi, are examples of eukaryotes. In eukaryotes the nucleus of the cell is separated from the cytoplasm and is located in a separate liquid substance known as nucleoplasm. Prokaryotes are organisms that have cells without a nucleus. Examples of prokaryotes are bacteria. In prokaryotes, all of the contents of the cell are located within the cytoplasm.

Most of the activities in the cell happen within the cytoplasm. This includes the process of cell division (a way that cells reproduce), glycolysis, and metabolism. Glycolysis is the breakdown of glucose (a type of sugar) by enzymes, which releases energy. An enzyme is a type of protein that helps produce chemical reactions in the body. Metabolism is the chemical actions in cells that release energy from nutrients or use energy to create other substances.