Cytoplasm is the gelatinous liquid that fills the entire insides of a cell. Since nucleus is an intracellular organelle, let us check if it has cytoplasm or not.
Nucleus does not have cytoplasm filled within its components as it is the intracellular organelles that are enclosed with membranes. Hence, the membranes separate the cytoplasm to get inside the nucleus within cells.
Lat us further find the details on the reasons of the nucleus to not have cytoplasm, the site of cytoplasm within the cells, the ways cytoplasm is related to the nucleus along with the understanding of the differences between nucleus and cytoplasm and lastly if collenchyma cells have both nucleus and cytoplasm.
Why nucleus is not included in cytoplasm?
Few organelles in the cells have the ability to restrict the cytoplasm and nucleus is one among them. Let us check why nucleus is not added in cytoplasm.
Nucleus does not have cytoplasm because the eukaryotic cells have nucleus which are membrane-bound in nature. The membrane is called the nuclear envelope which encloses the gel-like substance, called the nucleoplasm and stores genetic material, called the DNA. This restricts the cytoplasm to be present only in the space found between the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane.
What separates nucleus from cytoplasm?
Few intracellular organelles have membranes which separate cytoplasm. Let us check what nucleus has that separates it from the cytoplasm.
The outermost bilayer membrane, called the nuclear envelope separates the nucleus from the gelatinous cytoplasm that fills the entire cell. This membrane is made up of two layers, the outer membrane and the inner membrane, which separates the nucleus from cytoplasm.
Both the inner layer and the outer layer of the nuclear envelope contain two distinctive layers of phospholipids. There is also a space between these two layers, called the perinuclear space.
Difference between nucleus and cytoplasm
All intracellular organelles are different from the other with differences in functions to perform. Let us check the differences between nucleus and cytoplasm.
Various differences between cytoplasm and nucleus, based on composition, structure, functions and more are given in the below table:
| Cytoplasm | Nucleus | |
| Cytoplasm is a gelatinous material that fills the entire living cells but not the nucleus. | Nucleus is the largest membrane-bound organelle and has own gel-like material called the nucleoplasmIt is found in all types of cells (both prokaryotes and eukaryotes)It is found only in the eukaryotic cells. It encloses different cell organelles, like cytosol, golgi bodies, endoplasmic reticulum and more, except nucleus, vacuoles and mitochondria. It encloses the genome (DNA/ RNA/ Proteins). It is an entirely fluid filled component of the cells. It is defined as the control centre of the cells. It is present between the cellular membrane and nuclear membrane in eukaryotes. It is surrounded by the nuclear envelope to separate it from the cytoplasm. It is surrounded by a single membrane system. It is surrounded by a double membrane system (bilayer). The structural support is provided by the cytoskeleton. The structural support is provided by the nuclear lamina. It is responsible for functions like cell division and important metabolic pathways. | It helps in facilitating gene expression as it contains the genome. |
How is cytoplasm related to nucleus?
Cytoplasm and nucleus are separated in the cell and have different roles. Let us check for ways the cytoplasm is related to the nucleus.
Cytoplasm and nucleus are important components present within the eukaryotic cells and support various cellular activities essential for the cells. Cytoplasm contains all the cellular organelles and nucleus contains the genome.
Where is cytoplasm found?
Cytoplasm is an important gelatinous material which supports various cellular activities within the cells. Let Us check where cytoplasm is found.
Cytoplasm is found to be enclosed within the cell membrane along with other cell organelles, but the specific location is dependent entirely on the type of cells.
Eukaryotic cells
In eukaryotes, cytoplasm is found to be located in between the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane. Eukaryotes have a specialised structure called nucleus, which has nuclear membrane to restrict cytoplasm within the nucleus.
Prokaryotic cells
In prokaryotes, cytoplasm occupies the entire portion of the cell within the cell membrane. The prokaryotes lack the presence of a true nucleus and hence the genetic materials along with the other organelles are suspended within cytoplasm.
Does collenchyma have cytoplasm and nucleus?
All eukaryotic cells have been identified to contain cytoplasm as well as nucleus. Let us check if collenchyma cells contain both.
Collenchyma cells have both cytoplasm and nucleus. They are important for the plant tissues and help in providing structural support for all types of plants because it has cytoplasm and nucleus. In comparison to other plant cells, the amount of cytoplasm is small with a prominent nucleus.
The shape of collenchyma cells is elongated in nature in order to provide elasticity and rigidity to the plants and hence, the amount of cytoplasm is less and eliminates large vacuoles as well. The collenchyma cells have genetic material stored within the nucleus as it is an evolved type of eukaryotic cell.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the nucleus does not contain cytoplasm as it is restricted by the bi-layered nuclear membrane.
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Hi, I am Sayantani Mishra, a science enthusiast trying to cope with the pace of scientific developments with a master’s degree in Biotechnology.
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