# Cytoplasm

The jelly-like liquid that fills a cell. Most chemical reactions in the cell happen here.

Biology (school) · Part 01: Cells · Card 3 of 12 · Last updated 2026-10-19

## Analogy

The soup that all the cell's parts float in.

## In practice

Many of the reactions that release energy from sugar start in the cytoplasm.

## Questions people ask

### What is the cytoplasm made of?

Cytoplasm is mostly water with many substances dissolved in it, such as sugars, salts and proteins. The cell's other parts, like mitochondria and ribosomes, sit inside it. It is where many chemical reactions of the cell take place, which keeps everything close together.

### What is the difference between cytoplasm and cytosol?

Cytosol is the liquid part only. Cytoplasm includes the cytosol plus all the small parts floating in it, such as mitochondria. At school level, most exam courses just use the word cytoplasm for the whole jelly-like filling of the cell.

## Related concepts

- [Cell](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-1/biology-school-part-1-concept-1)
- [Nucleus](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-1/biology-school-part-1-concept-2)
- [Cell membrane](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-1/biology-school-part-1-concept-4)
- [Mitochondria](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-1/biology-school-part-1-concept-5)

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