Cytosol
A Cytosol is a liquid that is inside biological cells and that constitutes most of the intracellular fluid.
- AKA: Cytoplasmic Matrix, Hyaloplasm, Intracellular Fluid, ICF.
- Context:
- It includes a Mitochondrial Matrix.
- …
- Example(s):
- Counter-Example(s):
- See: Cytoplasm, Carboxysome, Cell (Biology), Fluid Compartment, Intracellular Compartment, Mitochondrial Matrix, Mitochondrion, Eukaryotic Cell, Cell Membrane, Cytoplasm, Plastid, Organelle, Cell Nucleus, Prokaryotes.
References
2018
- (Wikipedia, 2018) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytosol Retrieved:2018-7-21.
- The cytosol, also known as intracellular fluid (ICF) or cytoplasmic matrix, is the liquid found inside cells. It is separated into compartments by membranes. For example, the mitochondrial matrix separates the mitochondrion into many compartments.
In the eukaryotic cell, the cytosol is surrounded by the cell membrane and is part of the cytoplasm, which also comprises the mitochondria, plastids, and other organelles (but not their internal fluids and structures); the cell nucleus is separate. The cytosol is thus a liquid matrix around the organelles. In prokaryotes, most of the chemical reactions of metabolism take place in the cytosol, while a few take place in membranes or in the periplasmic space. In eukaryotes, while many metabolic pathways still occur in the cytosol, others take place within organelles.
The cytosol is a complex mixture of substances dissolved in water. Although water forms the large majority of the cytosol, its structure and properties within cells is not well understood. The concentrations of ions such as sodium and potassium are different in the cytosol than in the extracellular fluid; these differences in ion levels are important in processes such as osmoregulation, cell signaling, and the generation of action potentials in excitable cells such as endocrine, nerve and muscle cells. The cytosol also contains large amounts of macromolecules, which can alter how molecules behave, through macromolecular crowding.
Although it was once thought to be a simple solution of molecules, the cytosol has multiple levels of organization. These include concentration gradients of small molecules such as calcium, large complexes of enzymes that act together and take part in metabolic pathways, and protein complexes such as proteasomes and carboxysomes that enclose and separate parts of the cytosol.
- The cytosol, also known as intracellular fluid (ICF) or cytoplasmic matrix, is the liquid found inside cells. It is separated into compartments by membranes. For example, the mitochondrial matrix separates the mitochondrion into many compartments.
2017a
- (Biology Online Dictionary, 2017) ⇒ http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Cytosol
- Definition (noun, plural: cytosols) : (cell biology) The liquid component of the cytoplasm surrounding the organelles and other insoluble cytoplasmic structures in an intact cell where a wide variety of cell processes take place.
Supplement: The cytosol is the aqueous portion of the cytoplasm in an intact cell consisting of water, organic molecules and dissolved ions. The highest percentage of cytosol component is water, i.e. about 70%. The typical ions in the mammalian cytosol are potassium, sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, amino acids in proteins, magnesium, and calcium. The concentration of potassium ions is greater in cytosol than that in the extracellular fluid. Macromolecules dissolved in the cytosol include protein molecules not bound to the cell membrane or the cytoskeleton.
The cytosol serves as the site where many chemical reactions take place. In prokaryotes, it is where most metabolic reactions take place (others occur in the cell membrane). In eukaryotes, it is where the organelles and other cytoplasmic structures are suspended. Since the cytosol contains dissolved ions, it plays a role in osmoregulation and cell signaling. It is also involved in generating action potentials such as in endocrine, nerve and muscle cells.
- Definition (noun, plural: cytosols) : (cell biology) The liquid component of the cytoplasm surrounding the organelles and other insoluble cytoplasmic structures in an intact cell where a wide variety of cell processes take place.
2017b
- (GO Gene Ontology, 2017) ⇒ Gene Ontology http://amigo.geneontology.org/cgi-bin/amigo/term-details.cgi?term=GO:0005829&session_id=9042amigo1239898089
- Accession: GO:0005829
- Ontology: cellular component
- Synonyms:None
- Definition:
- That part of the cytoplasm that does not contain membranous or particulate subcellular components. [source: ISBN:0198547684]=== 2017c ===
- (PubMed Health Glossary, 2017) ⇒ "Cytosol" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0027110/
- The cytosol or cytoplasmic matrix is the liquid found inside cells.
About Cytosol - Every cell is contained within a membrane punctuated with special gates, channels, and pumps. These gadgets let in — or force out — selected molecules. Their purpose is to carefully protect the cell's internal environment, a thick brew (called the cytosol) of salts, nutrients, and proteins that accounts for about 50 percent of the cell's volume (organelles make up the rest).
- The cytosol or cytoplasmic matrix is the liquid found inside cells.
2017d
- (SparkNotes, 2017) ⇒ "Intracellular Components: The Cytoskeleton and Cytosol" http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/cellstructure/intracellularcomponents/section1.rhtml
- In this section we will discuss the intracellular components that are not organelles. The cytoskeleton and cytosol are structural elements that help provide the cell with its structure. The cytoskeleton is composed of protein filaments and is found throughout the inside of a eukaryotic cell. The cytosol is the main component of the cytoplasm, the fluid that fills the inside of the cell. The cytoplasm is everything in the cell except for the cytoskeleton and membrane-bound organelles. Both structures, the cytoskeleton and cytosol, are "filler" structures that do not contain essential biological molecules but perform structural functions within a cell.
The Cytosol
The interior of a cell is composed of organelles, the cytoskeleton, and the cytosol. The cytosol often comprises more than 50% of a cell's volume. Beyond providing structural support, the cytosol is the site wherein protein synthesis takes place, and the provides a home for the centrosomes and centrioles. These organelles will be discussed more with the cytoskeleton.
- In this section we will discuss the intracellular components that are not organelles. The cytoskeleton and cytosol are structural elements that help provide the cell with its structure. The cytoskeleton is composed of protein filaments and is found throughout the inside of a eukaryotic cell. The cytosol is the main component of the cytoplasm, the fluid that fills the inside of the cell. The cytoplasm is everything in the cell except for the cytoskeleton and membrane-bound organelles. Both structures, the cytoskeleton and cytosol, are "filler" structures that do not contain essential biological molecules but perform structural functions within a cell.