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AAT Bioquest

What does the cytosol do?

Posted June 16, 2022


Answer

Cytosol is the liquid portion of the cytoplasm found inside of cells. Floating within this water-based solution are different types of cell structures including proteins, organelles, and other ingredients necessary for cytosolic activities. The cytosol does not have a single well-defined function. In both plant and animal cells, it serves several functions:

●       Serves as a site for a wide range of intracellular processes

●       Provides structural support to the cell and organelles within it

●       Facilitates the movement of chemicals within the cell and transports metabolites from their production site to other parts of the cell

●       Ensures that pH levels, salt concentrations, and other environmental conditions remain optimized for crucial enzymatic activities 

●       Involved in signal transduction between the cell membrane and the nucleus and organelles

●       Facilitates the generation of action potential in nerve, endocrine, and muscle cells 

Additional resources

Regulation of Proteins to the Cytosol Using Delivery Systems with Engineered Polymer Architecture

Cell Structures and Organelles

ReadiPrep™ Nuclear/Cytoplasmic Fractionation Kit