Meaning of Citosol (What is it, Concept and Definition)

What is Cytosol:

Cytosol is the intracellular fluid in cells that makes up most of what is called the cytoplasm in cells

The word cytosol has its origin in Greek and is composed of the words solu -which indicates "soluble" and which refers to the "relative to the cell", in this case to the cytoplasm.its etymological sense, the cytosol would be the soluble part of the cytoplasm .In some texts, the cytosol is also called hialoplasma.

Swimming in the middle of the cytosol all the elements that constitute the cytoplasm are found: the structural proteins or cytoskeleton and the organs or organelles.The cytosol or cytoplasmic matrix, together with the mentioned elements, is also part of the cytoplasm.

Cytosol produces most metabolic reactions.For example, all proteins synthesized in eukaryotic cells (with cell nucleus) s e produced in the cytosol.The only exceptions are some proteins that are synthesized in mitochondria in animal cells and in chloroplasts in plant cells.

The composition of the cytosol will depend on the nature and function of the In general, the cytosol is composed of water, ions, macromolecules and smaller organic molecules.

The cytosol ions can be, for example, calcium, potassium or sodium.The molecules we can find in the cytosol they can be sugars, polysaccharides, amino acids, nucleic acids and fatty acids.

Importance of the cytosol

One of the most important processes of the cells occurs in the cytosol: the Protein synthesis.In eukaryotic cells, the information to synthesize specific proteins is stored within the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), in the cell nucleus.

The messenger RNA (ribonucleic acid) will be responsible for carrying the DNA information, going through the envelope nuclear ura, through the nuclear pores to the cytosol.In the cytosol, are the ribosomes with which the mRNA will be associated for the beginning of the translation or synthesis of proteins.

See also Parts of the cell.

Cytosol and cytoplasm

The cytosol is part of the cytoplasm.The cytoplasm encompasses everything within the plasma membrane of the cells.

In the prokaryotic cells (without a defined nucleus) the cytoplasm (cytosol, cytoskeleton and organs) constitutes the entire cell.On the other hand, in eukaryotic cells (with cell nucleus) the cytoplasm is between the cell membrane and the nuclear envelope.

In general, the cytoplasm differs from the cytosol because it is all that lies between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope (if the cell has a nucleus).In this sense, we can say that the cytoplasm is the area where the cytosol is found.

In addition, all the other elements that form The cytoplasm is floating in the middle of the cytosol, the latter constituting the liquid or soluble substance.

Cytosol and cytoskeleton

The cytosol and cytoskeleton are 2 of the elements that make up the Cytoplasm of the cells.The cytosol is the fluid and the cytoskeleton are the structural proteins that support, move and transport the cells.

The cytoskeleton, like all the elements of the cytoplasm, is surrounded by cytosol.

The third basic element of the cytoplasm is the organs or organelles, compartments with specific functions that, together with the cytoskeleton, are floating in the middle of the cytosol.