Nucleoplasm

Nucleoplasm is the type of protoplasm that makes up the interior of the nucleus of a cell. It is sometimes referred to as karyoplasm or nuclear sap. The nucleoplasm is a highly viscous liquid that surrounds the chromosomes and nucleoli. Many substances such as nucleotides (necessary for purposes such as the replication of DNA) and enzymes (which direct activities that take place in the nucleus) are dissolved in the nucleoplasm. The soluble, liquid portion of the nucleoplasm is called the nucleosol or nuclear hyaloplasm.

Composition

The nucleoplasm, like the cytoplasm, is rich in proteins and contains a variety of components, including nucleotides, enzymes, RNA, DNA, and basic proteins called histones. The nucleoplasm also contains a structure called the nucleolus, which is the site of ribosome production.

Function

The primary function of the nucleoplasm is to act as a suspension substance for the organelles inside the nucleus. It helps to maintain the shape and structure of the nucleus while also providing a site for the reactions that occur within the nucleus.

See also

• Cell nucleus
• Cytoplasm
• Nucleolus
• Chromatin
• Histone

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