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Lesson: Chapter 6 — The Structure and Function of Plant and Animal Cells

6.4. Cell organelles and structures 3 of 8

Cytoplasm

Inside the membrane, filling the cell, is the cytoplasm. It is what the organelles are embedded in.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like fluid part held within a cell, apart from the cell organelles, is called the cytoplasm. It contains organic as well as inorganic substances.

Its functions

  • Giving the cell its shape
  • Holding the cell organelles
  • Carrying out various metabolic processes

Using the word "organelle" correctly

The structures sunk in the cytoplasm within a cell are what get called cell organelles. Some organelles are surrounded by membranes — mitochondria, the nucleus, the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi body are examples.

"Apart from" is the important phrase

The cytoplasm is not everything inside the membrane — it is the material the organelles sit in, not the organelles as well. Which is why "there are mitochondria in the cytoplasm" is the correct way to put it.