Function Of Cytoplasm In Bacteria: Why,How,Detailed Insights

Bacteria are single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms. The cell of bacteria is composed of cytoplasm or protoplasm. The cytoplasm plays multiple functions in bacterial cell. Here we briefly describe the function of Cytoplasm in bacteria.

Functions Of Cytoplasm-

The cytoplasm holds all the necessary components of a cell including cytosol, cell organelles, inclusions, etc.
Cytoplasm is directly related to cell expanding and growth.
The cytoplasm is the centre of several metabolic activities in the cell. From glycolysis to cell division processes all occur in cytoplasm.
The cytoplasm secrets enzymes, responsible for various biochemical reactions.
The cytoplasm moves all the metabolic waste materials of the cell towards their destination and removes them from the cell.
It also removes foreign particles from cell.
The DNA replication and transcription process takes place in the cytoplasm.
In the translation process cytoplasm performs an important role, helping protein synthesis.
The cytoplasm builds a cytoskeleton, a filamentous system which gives the cytoplasm rigidity.
Cytoskeleton holds the organelles in their original position in the cell.
Cytoplasm gives a proper shape to the bacteria.
Cytoplasm helps in the intercellular transmission process.

Cytoplasm is very important for the survival of bacteria. All the necessary substances like amino acids, nucleic acid, sugar molecules, salts, vitamins and all cellular organelles float in the cytoplasm.

Function of Cytoplasm in bacteria from Pixabay

Chemical Composition Of Cytoplasm In Bacteria

The cytoplasm in bacteria is composed of various components. The cytoplasm is generally colorless and made of about 70%-80% of water.

It is consists of proteins (55%), Ribonucleic acids (20.5%), Deoxyribonucleic acid (3.1%), phospholipids (9.1%), lipopolysaccharide (3.4%), glycogen (2.5%), murein (2.5%) and some inorganic ions(1.0%). The cytoplasm contains various biochemical elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, etc.

This chemical composition is necessary for the cytoplasm to regulate all the cellular activities. If the cytoplasm doesn’t match the required Composition levels, it can cause various disadvantages to that particular bacteria.

To know more about carbohydrates read on What Is The Chemical Structure Of Carbohydrates: Detailed Insights

Structure Of Cytoplasm In Bacteria

In bacteria the cytoplasm is the whole thing enclosed by the cell envelope. There is also a structure found outside the cell envelope called the cell capsule. The cell envelope comprises three primary layers from outside including-

The cytoplasm is composed of 70% -80% of water, protein, nucleic acids, lipids, gasses, inorganic ions, etc. The bacterial cytoplasm contains a free, naked, circular kind of genome (consisting of a single chromosome in it). It has multiple cellular organelles (lacking membrane bound structures) and various cellular inclusions in it.

Let’s have a closer look at the surroundings of bacterial Cytoplasm.

Outer Membrane (OM)

Only in case of gram negative bacteria (having gram negetive type of cell wall), the outer membrane layer is present exclusively. It generally consists of lipopolysaccharides predominantly and some amount of lipoproteins in it. The outer membrane layer acts as endotoxins and gives protection to the cell.

Cell Wall

The cell wall is present in every Bacteria cell. It is mostly made up of peptidoglycan, a sugar substance. The cell wall gives rigidity and a proper shape to the Bacteria. It protects the Cytoplasmic membrane and the cytoplasm from external damages. Generally we can find only two kind of cell wall such as Gram positive cell wall and Gram negative cell wall.

Gram positive cell wall is made of a very thick peptidoglycan (sugar substance) layer.This layer retains the crystal violet dye during the gram staining procedure. This kind of cell wall features only in gram positive Bacteria.

Gram negative cell walls consist of a thin peptidoglycan layer (sugar substance). This thin layer is responsible for the inability to retain crystal violet dye during gram staining procedure. This kind of layer is exclusively present in gram negative bacteria.

To know more about cell wall read on Do Animal Cells Have A Cell Wall: Interesting FACTS

Inner Membrane (IM)

The inner membrane or cytoplasmic membrane enclosed the whole Cytoplasm in Bacterial Cell. This inner membrane is made up of lipid bilayers with some amount of proteins. This layer is permeable and responsible for the intercellular transport activities.

Components Of Cytoplasm In Bacteria

The cytoplasm of a bacterial cell is the home for all cellular activities. Most of the metabolic activities take place in cytoplasm and some occur in the envelope or membranous parts of the cell. The cytoplasm generally consist of three major components such as-

Let’s have a closer look at these components of cytoplasm respectively-

Cytosol

The cytoplasm is the semifluid gel like Cytoplasmic matrix. The cytosol holds all the organelles, bio molecules and inclusions as the cell matrix. Famous biologist H. A. Lardy first introduced the term cytosol in 1965.

It generally consists of water, dissolved ions, protein and lipid molecules, etc. The cytosol contains the genome substance (naked, single chromosomal structure) of the cell, called nucleoid. Multiple biochemical activities occurs like the cytosol of the Cytoplasm.

Cellular Organelles

The cytoplasm contains several organelles, important for cellular activities. The Organelles lack membrane bound structure but play very important roles in each.

Ribosomes (70S) are the protein factory of the cell. The ribosome helps in the RNA translation process and stimulates protein synthesis.
Flagellum is a locomotory organ. Originated from the cell wall. It grows outside of the cell and helps to move the bacteria.
Pili or fimbriae is a hair-like structure that grows outside of the cell. It is implanted from the cell membrane and stimulates the conjugation process.
Nucleoid is the naked free kind of cellular DNA. It lacks membrane bound structure. It is the main genetic material of bacteria. It completes the replication and transcription process within the cytoplasm of the cell.
Plasmid is the extra genetic material of a bacterial cell providing extra genetic advantages to the individual.
Chlorosome is a photosynthetic organelle present in some green sulfur Bacteria. This organ helps in the photosynthesis process.
Carboxysome is a protein shell micro compartment that helps bacteria in the carbon fixation process.

There are also some structures like spores, cysts, thylakoids, etc present in cytoplasm of Bacteria.

Chlorosome: cell Organelle from Pixabay

Cytoplasmic Inclusions

There are several cytoplasmic inclusions present throughout the cytoplasm, such as glycogen, sulfur globules, polybetahydroxybutaryc acid (PHB), polyphosphate, gas vesicles, parasporal crystal, etc.

To know more about DNA read on DNA Structure | A detailed insight with all crucial aspects

How Cytoplasm Functions In Bacterial Cells?

The cytoplasm functions in bacterial cells through multiple ways.

Most of the biochemical activities take place in cytoplasm. By moving particles towards their destination it helps in stimulating signalling pathways. It removes foreign particles from the cell. By synthesizing cytoskeleton it provides a proper shape to the bacteria. It brings rigidity to the cell.

As a whole cytoplasm is a very important part of bacterial cell. We discuss the function of cytoplasm in bacteria. We give an obvious idea about the chemical compositions and structure of Cytoplasm in bacteria. We discuss the components of Cytoplasm. Lastly we can say that the importance of cytoplasm in bacterial cell is immense.

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Piyali Das

Hello, I am Piyali Das, pursuing my Post Graduation in Zoology from Calcutta University. I am very passionate on Academic Article writing. My aim is to explain complex things in simple way through my writings for the readers.