Hey, everyone. Let's take a look at this question together. What is the primary component of cytosol? Is it answer choice. A proteins, answer choice B lipids, answer choice C water or answer choice D sugars. Let's work this problem out together to try to figure out which of the following answer choices is the primary component of cytosol. So in order to solve this question, we have to recall what we have learned about cytosol to determine which of the following answer choices is the primary component. And we can recall that cytosol refers to the liquid component of the cytoplasm in a cell. And we note that cytosol primarily consists of water, but it also includes various molecules such as proteins, lipids, nucleic, acids and sugars. However, since we are looking for the primary component of cytosol, we know that water is that primary component. Therefore, answer choice C is the correct answer. And all other answer choices are incorrect as proteins, lipids and sugars which are found in cytosol are not the primary component, which is answer choice C water. So answer choice C is the only correct answer choice. I hope you found this video to be helpful. Thank you and goodbye.

Ch. 3 - Cell Structure and Function

Bauman - Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy 6th Edition

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Bauman 6th Edition

Ch. 3 - Cell Structure and Function

Problem 3

Chapter 3, Problem 3

Define cytosol.

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Understand that cytosol is a component of the cell's internal environment, specifically within the cytoplasm.

Recognize that cytosol is the aqueous, gel-like substance that surrounds the organelles inside the cell membrane but excludes the organelles themselves.

Note that cytosol contains water, dissolved ions, small molecules, and large water-soluble molecules such as proteins.

Understand that cytosol plays a crucial role in cellular processes such as metabolism, signal transduction, and molecular transport.

Summarize by defining cytosol as the fluid portion of the cytoplasm where many cellular activities occur, distinct from the organelles suspended within it.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cytosol Definition

Cytosol is the aqueous, gel-like substance inside cells where organelles are suspended. It is the site of many metabolic reactions and provides a medium for molecular movement within the cell.

Cellular Compartmentalization

Cells are divided into compartments, such as the cytosol and organelles, each with specific functions. Understanding cytosol requires recognizing it as the fluid portion outside organelles but inside the plasma membrane.

Role in Cellular Metabolism

The cytosol hosts numerous enzymatic reactions essential for processes like glycolysis and signal transduction. It plays a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and facilitating biochemical pathways.

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Introduction to Metabolism

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Which of the following statements concerning growth and reproduction is false?

a. Growth and reproduction may occur simultaneously in living organisms

b. A living organism must reproduce to be considered alive

c. Living things may stop growing and reproducing yet still be alive

d. Normally, living organisms have the ability to grow and reproduce themselves

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Textbook Question

A scientist who is studying passive movement of chemicals across the cytoplasmic membrane of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi measures the rate at which two chemicals diffuse into a cell as a function of external concentration. The results are shown in the following figure. Chemical A diffuses into the cell more rapidly than does B at lower external concentrations, but the rate levels off as the external concentration increases. The rate of diffusion of chemical B continues to increase as the external concentration increases.

a. How can you explain the differences in the diffusion rates of chemicals A and B?

b. Why does the diffusion rate of chemical A taper off?

c. How could the cell increase the diffusion rate of chemical A?

d. How could the cell increase the diffusion rate of chemical B?

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Textbook Question

A "9 + 2" arrangement of microtubules is seen in __________ .

a. archaeal flagella

b. bacterial flagella

c. eukaryotic flagella

d. all prokaryotic flagella

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is not a function of a glycocalyx?

a. It forms pseudopods for faster mobility of an organism.

b. It can protect a bacterial cell from drying out.

c. It hides a bacterial cell from other cells.

d. It allows a bacterium to stick to a host.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is most associated with diffusion?

a. Symports

b. Antiports

c. Carrier proteins

d. Endocytosis

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Textbook Question

The term fluid mosaic has been used in describing the cytoplasmic membrane. How does each word of that phrase accurately describe our current understanding of a cell membrane?

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