Final answer:
The statement about the cytosol being more of an aqueous gel than a solution is false. The cytosol is a semi-fluid, aqueous medium in the cytoplasm that facilitates metabolic reactions and contains a variety of molecules, including a high concentration of proteins and K+ ions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the cytosol is densely packed with molecules, creating what is more an aqueous gel than a solution, is false. The cytosol is indeed packed with molecules, but it maintains a semi-fluid, aqueous nature that allows organelles and molecules to diffuse. As the aqueous part of the cytoplasm, it is composed of about 70 to 80 percent water and serves as a medium for chemical reactions. It also contains a high concentration of soluble molecules like protein, K+ ions, and a low concentration of Na+ ions that contribute to its organized gel-like consistency.
While the cytosol does exhibit properties of a gel, especially due to the presence of macromolecules and the cytoskeleton, it behaves more fluidly than a typical gel. This fluid nature facilitates the numerous metabolic processes that occur within the cell, such as enzyme-mediated reactions. The cytoskeleton provides structural support, maintaining the semi-solid consistency of the cytoplasm, and plays a crucial role in countering osmotic pressure alongside molecular pumps located in the plasma membrane or the cell wall.