8 Major Functions of Cytoplasm

Cytoplasm, a jelly like substance (called cytosol or cytoplasmic matrix or hyaloplasm) and composed of mainly water is found between the cell membrane and nucleus.
It contains the structures and substances needed to decode the instruction of DNA and carry on the activates of the cell. Cytoplasmic structures comprises three groups: organelles, cytoplasmic inclusions, and cytoskeleton. Autonomic movement of matrix in the cytoplasm in a cell is called cyclosis or cytoplasmic streaming.
Cytoplasm exists in two states: sol (plasmasol) and gel (plasmagel).Sol is a liquid colloidal solution where the colloidal particles are well dispersed in water. Gel is a thick semi solid colloidal system in which the colloidal particles come in contact and form a sort of network with water dispersed in the meshes.

Functions of Cytoplasm

1. Cytoplasmic matrix contains enzymes for synthesis of fats, several carbohydrates, nucleotides, amino acids, proteins and coenzymes etc.
2. It has the mechanism to rapidly distribute nutrients, metabolites and enzymes through cyclosis.
3.  Cytosol performs pentose phosphate pathway of aerobic respiration, glycolysis and anaerobic respiration.
4.  It stores raw materials for its metabolism as well as functioning of different cell organelles.
5. Cell organelles pass out their products into cytoplasmic matrix.
6.  Waste materials formed during metabolism are temporaily stored in cytosol before being eliminated.
7. Cell organelles exchange materials amongst themselves only through cytoplasmic matrix.
8. It exchange materials with the extracellular environment for throwing out waste products and receiving raw materials.