Final answer:
The cytosol is a gel-like substance in the cytoplasm that hosts the cell's organelles, which are suspended within it. The space it occupies is between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope, creating a medium where various biochemical reactions take place for the cell's survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cytosol and Cell Membrane-Enclosed Organelles
The cytosol is the gel-like material in the cytoplasm where the cell structures, including membrane-enclosed organelles, are suspended. These organelles, like the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and mitochondria, perform various specialized functions. They are positioned throughout the cytosol, which occupies the space between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope.
While the cytosol plays a key role in biochemical reactions necessary for cell survival, each organelle has a unique function. For example, ribosomes in the rough ER synthesize proteins, and mitochondria generate ATP, the cell's energy currency. The endomembrane system, consisting of the ER, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes, works together in processes such as protein synthesis, modification, and transport.
The cytoskeleton is a network of protein fibers within the cytosol that maintains cell shape, secures organelles in place, and enables cellular motion. It's composed of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. In summary, the cytosol provides both a structure to the cell and a medium for the organelles to remain suspended and perform their functions.