Name:

Mehar Muhammad Hamza Maqbool

Roll No:
bsf1903720

Assignment:
 Cytoplasm
 Plasma Membrane

Class:
B.S.Chemistry
University Of Education Lahore
Multan Campus
 Cytoplasm:
Definition:
The cytoplasm is a highly viscous (gel-like) substance enclosed
within the cell membrane. It is composed of water (about 85 percent),
proteins (10 to 15 percent), lipids (2 to 4 percent), nucleic acids, inorganic
salts and polysaccharides in smaller amounts.

Location:
The cytoplasm is enclosed within the cell membrane as is the case
with the other cell components/organelles. With regards to the specific location,
however, this is dependent on the type of cell. For instance, in eukaryotic cells, the
cytoplasm is located between the cell membrane/plasma membrane and the
nuclear membrane.

Layers of Cytoplasm:
With regards to location, the cytoplasm is also divided into the
two layers.

Ectoplasm

 Non-granulated

 Less dense and thus more clear

 Thin and superficial

 Contains actin filaments in higher numbers (this provides the cell

membrane with elastic support).

Endoplasm

 The inner layer of the cytoplasm

 located deeper in the cell where it surrounds the nucleus

 Contains many granules (secretory vesicles)

 Denser compared to the ectoplasm.

Cytosol:
The cytosol is the intracellular fluid of the cytoplasm. It is largely composed
of water (over 70 percent) and surrounds all organelles located/suspended
in the cytoplasm.

Characteristics of cytosol:

 7.0 -7.4 pH range

 Viscosity similar to water
 Less than 0.0002 mm of calcium ions concentration
 High amount of charged macromolecules

Functions:

 It contributes to the transduction signaling from the plasma membrane

to the nucleus (with the nucleus being the effective site).

 Apart from its role in signaling, the cytosol is also involved in the
transportation of metabolites (e.g. amino acids in eukaryotic cells) in
addition to being the site of metabolic chemical reactions in
prokaryotes.

Cytoplasmic Structure:
The cytoplasm is mostly composed of water (water is the largest
component). Apart from water, sugars, inorganic salts and other organic
components, the cytoplasm is also composed of various organelles (which
also form the endomembrane system) and the cytoskeleton.

The endomembrane system is composed of:

 Golgi complex
 Endoplasmic reticulum
 Endosomes
 Lysosomes
 Vacuoles

Functions:
Some of these functions include:

 Transport:
The cytoplasm is involved in several forms of transportation.

 Maintain the Shape and Structure of Cell:

The cytoplasm is a viscous matrix that is largely composed of water. By
exerting an outward pressure (turgor pressure) against the cell membrane,
it contributes to the general shape of the cell.

 Protection:
Consisting of cytosol, a viscous fluid, the cytoplasm protects various
components of the cell by acting as a cushion that absorbs some shock that
may otherwise damage organelles.

 Storage:
Various molecules (lipids, fats, starch, etc.) can be found floating in the
cytoplasm. Some of these molecules are used to build different structures of
the cells. Before they are used, however, these molecules float in the
cytoplasm where they are stored.

 Site of Metabolic Activities:

Several enzymes can be found in the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm, therefore, is
also a site of metabolism for a number of substances.
 Plasma Membrane:
Definition:

The plasma membrane of a cell is a network of lipids and proteins that forms the
boundary between a cell’s contents and the outside of the cell. It is also simply
called the cell membrane.

Structure
 Phospholipids:

The membrane is partially made up of molecules called phospholipids, which

spontaneously arrange themselves into a double layer with hydrophilic (“water
loving”) heads on the outside and hydrophobic (“water hating”) tails on the
inside. These interactions with water are what allow plasma membranes to form.

 Proteins:

Proteins in the cell membrane play a role in many other functions, such as cell
signaling, cell recognition, and enzyme activity.

 Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates are also found in the plasma membrane; specifically, most

carbohydrates in the membrane are part of glycoproteins, which are formed
when a carbohydrate attaches to a protein. Glycoproteins play a role in the
interactions between cells, including cell adhesion, the process by which cells
attach to each other.

Fluid Mosaic Model

Technically, the cell membrane is a liquid. At room temperature, it has about the
same consistency as vegetable oil. Lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates in the
plasma membrane can diffuse freely throughout the cell membrane; they are
essentially floating across its surface. This is known as the fluid mosaic model,
which was coined by S.J. Singer and G.L. Nicolson in 1972.

Function:
 A Physical Barrier:

The plasma membrane surrounds all cells and physically separates

the cytoplasm, which is the material that makes up the cell, from
the extracellular fluid outside the cell. This protects all the components of the cell
from the outside environment and allows separate activities to occur inside and
outside the cell.

The plasma membrane provides structural support to the cell. It tethers

the cytoskeleton, which is a network of protein filaments inside the cell that hold
all the parts of the cell in place. This gives the cell its shape. Certain organisms
such as plants and fungi have a cell wall in addition to the membrane. The cell
wall is composed of molecules such as cellulose. It provides additional support to
the cell, and it is why plant cells do not burst like animal cells do if too much
water diffuses into them.
  Selective Permeability:

Plasma membranes are selectively permeable (or semi-permeable), meaning that

only certain molecules can pass through them. Water, oxygen, and carbon
dioxide can easily travel through the membrane. Generally, ions (e.g. sodium,
potassium) and polar molecules cannot pass through the membrane; they must
go through specific channels or pores in the membrane instead of freely diffusing
through. This way, the membrane can control the rate at which certain
molecules can enter and exit the cell.

 Endocytosis and Exocytosis:

 Endocytosis is when a cell ingests relatively larger contents than

the single ions or molecules that pass through channels. Through
endocytosis, a cell can take in large quantities of molecules or even
whole bacteria from the extracellular fluid.

 Exocytosis is when the cell releases these materials. The cell

membrane plays an important role in both of these processes. The
shape of the membrane itself changes to allow molecules to enter or
exit the cell.

 Cell Signaling:

Another important function of the membrane is to facilitate communication and

signaling between cells. It does so through the use of various proteins and
carbohydrates in the membrane. Proteins on the cell “mark” that cell so that
other cells can identify it. The membrane also has receptors that allow it to carry
out certain tasks when molecules such as hormones bind to those receptors.