A cell is the basic unit of life for all living organisms. Cytosol and cytoplasm are two components of a cell. Cytosol is the intracellular fluid present within the cytoplasm. Cytosol is often confused with cytoplasm but one must realise that both are different entities.
Given below in a tabular column is the difference between cytosol and cytoplasm.
Cytosol vs Cytoplasm
Cytosol | Cytoplasm |
Cytosol is a fluid present in the cell membrane | Cytoplasm is a cell component present inside the cell membrane |
It is composed of soluble ions, water, water-soluble proteins and molecules | It is composed of enzymes, water, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and inorganic ions. |
All the chemical reactions in prokaryotes occur here | Involved in large cellular activities like cell division and glycolysis |
Transportation of molecules and Signal transduction take place in the cytosol | Cytokinesis, nuclear division and signal transduction take place in the cytoplasm |
Diversity is low | Diversity is high compared to the cytosol |
Cytoplasm Meaning
Cytoplasm is the component of the cell surrounded by the cell membrane. All the cell organelles are present in the cytoplasm. It helps in large cellular activities such as glycolysis or nuclear division. The inner concentrated region of the cytoplasm is called the endoplasm, whereas, the outer region of the cytoplasm is called ectoplasm.
Cytosol Meaning
Cytosol is known as the matrix of the cytoplasm. It surrounds the cell organelles in eukaryotes. In prokaryotes, all the metabolic reactions occur here.
Thus, we can infer that while cytosol is the fluid contained in the cell cytoplasm, cytoplasm is the entire content within the cell membrane. To learn more about difference between cytosol and cytoplasm, keep visiting BYJU’S website.
Also Read:-
Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm | Difference between Nucleotide and Nucleoside |
Difference between Chromosome and Chromatid | Difference Between Enzymes and Hormones |
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