Cytosol

Definition

The cytosol is the fluid portion of the cytoplasm in which organelles of the cell are suspended. It consists mainly of water, dissolved ions, small molecules, and large water-soluble molecules (such as proteins).

Related terms

Cytoplasm:

The entire contents within a cell's membrane, excluding the nucleus, comprising both the cytosol and the organelles.

Organelle: Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions, essentially acting as small organs within a cell.

Ribosome:

A complex molecule made of ribosomal RNA molecules and proteins that form a factory for protein synthesis in cells, floating freely in the cytosol or attached to other organelles