Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm refers to the inner contents of a cell excluding the nucleus. For a eukaryotic cell this includes membrane-bound organelles, the cytoskeleton and cytosol. The term cytosol only refers to the semifluid substance in which the inner components are suspended.

Animal cells

Cytoplasm of these cells would typically contain:

Membrane bound organelles

• Mitochondria
• Rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum
• Golgi apparatus
• Peroxisomes
• Endosomes
• Lysosomes
• Nucleus
• Cytosol
• Secretory vesicles
• Cytoskeleton
  • Actin
  • Intermediate filaments
  • Microtubules
• Ribosomes

Plant cells

Plants cells in addition to many of the components of animal cells also contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis and most mature plant cells also have a single large food vacuole. This is sometimes referred to as the central vacuole .

Prokaryotic cells (Prokaryotes)

Prokarya are all in all much simpler cells, and their cytoplasm would typically consist of ribosomes, cytosol, the cytoskeleton and inclusions (insoluble substances).