In this article we will consider the structure and functions of hyaloplasm. We will get acquainted with its structural components and the tasks they perform, we will analyze the essence of their interaction within the cell.
Familiarization with the concept
Hyaloplasm is an aqueous solution, the environment inside the cell, which includes all its contents, and specifically its structural elements. Various processes associated with the metabolism within the cell occur in it. This set of interconnected structures is presented as a colorless viscous solution. The amount of water can reach up to 90%. A large number of proteins are concentrated in the hyaloplasm, there are also carbohydrates, fats and inorganic compounds. Hyaloplasma is a storage place for amino acids, nucleotides and other "building materials", biological polymers and intermediate metabolic products.
Hyaloplasm combines all the structural components of a cell and allows them to interact.
Intracellular skeleton
The structure and functions of the hyaloplasm are determined by its evolutionary development process and the structural components that make up its composition. These primarily include the cytoskeleton, microfilaments, and microtubules.
The cytoskeleton is the skeleton of a cell, its skeleton, which lies in the cell cytoplasm. All eukaryotic cells have this component, and prokaryotes have homologs of protein molecules of eukaryotes. The cytoskeleton is not static, changes occur in it, during which support and adaptation of the appearance of the cell to external influences is provided. The movement is provided due to ecto- and ecdocytosis.
A cytoskeleton is formed using proteins, among which a certain number of basic order systems is distinguished. They are called in accordance with the main structural elements observed under microscopes, or are obliged to name the main proteins in their composition, for example, the actin-myosin or tubulin-dynein system.
Fibrillar proteins and their role
Hyaloplasma is, as mentioned above, an aqueous solution containing certain elements, such as microfilaments.
Microfilaments are strings formed by a globular protein - actin. These strands are present in the cytoplasm of each eukaryotic cell. Being part of muscle tissue, they are called "thin filaments." They are part of the plasma membrane, and lying under it, microfilaments form a three-dimensional structure, network.
Microfilaments are formed by chain actin molecules and reach a diameter of up to 7-8 nm. These formations are characterized by polarity, which indicates a difference in the structure of their different ends, as well as differences in the ability to attach other actin molecules to themselves.
One of the functions of hyaloplasm is the inclusion of microfilaments in its composition, the role of which is mainly:
- change in cell shape;
- fastening to the surfaces of substrates;
- amoeboid movement;
- endomitosis and cyclosis;
- vesicle transport.
In addition, they:
- serve as an attachment site for protein receptor molecules;
- participate in the formation of the contractile ring;
- support microvilli.
The composition of microfilaments includes actin, myosin, tropomyosin, fragmentin, filamine, villin proteins.
Microtubule Characterization
Hyaloplasm is a combination of not only the cytoskeleton and microfilaments, but also microtubules.
Microtubules are intracellular formations of proteins that are among the components of the cytoskeleton. They are a cylinder with a cavity inside. The length can vary greatly, and the diameter is 25 nm. The walls are formed by tubulin dimers. Like microfilaments, they are polar, and their main role is to transport and form the central structure of the axoneme.
Microtubules are a kind of “rails” along which particles move. The promotion of such components is provided by motor proteins: kinesin and dynein.
Dynein proteins transfer substances from the "+" to the "-" ends of microtubules, or in other words, from the periphery of the cell to the centrosome. Kinesins perform the opposite function.
The movement processes are provided by ATP energy. In this regard, motor proteins in their head domains contain ATP-binding regions.
Component Relationship
Hyaloplasma is the structure necessary to establish the connection of a chemical nature between certain components. Microfilaments “work” together with microtubules of the upper cytoplasmic layer and with the membrane, thereby ensuring the movement of the hyaloplasm, as well as endo- and exocytosis. The cytoskeleton and its components interact with the plasmolem, due to the amoeboid movement.
Hyaloplasm is a dynamic formation, like its cytoskeleton. Certain sections of cells, due to changes in external and internal conditions, can undergo a process of decay and assembly. A separate number of protein molecules created as a result of such a disassembly of microtubules and microfilaments is transferred to various cell solutions, being among the components of the hyaloplasm. Observation of the assembly of cytoskeletal components shows us a reverse process.
Hyaloplasm is ...
It is a solution of water and certain molecules of proteins, lipids, certain carbohydrates and inorganic compounds. We can say that this is a kind of place for the occurrence of its structural components, namely the cytoskeleton, microfilaments and microtubules. The main function of hyaloplasm is to provide all its elements with the ability to chemically interact with each other. Hyaloplasma is considered as a complex colloidal system that exists in liquid and gel states.