Now that you have learned that the cell membrane surrounds all cells, you can dive inside of a prototypical human cell to learn about its internal components and their functions. All living cells in multicellular organisms contain an internal cytoplasmic compartment, and a nucleus within the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is is all of the material within a eukaryotic cell, enclosed by the cell membrane, except for the cell nucleus. Cytosol is the jelly-like substance within the cell that provides the fluid medium necessary for biochemical reactions. Eukaryotic cells, including all animal cells, also contain various cellular organelles. An organelle (“little organ”) is one of several different types of membrane-enclosed bodies in the cell, each performing a unique function. Just as the various bodily organs work together in harmony to perform all of a human’s functions, the many different cellular organelles work together to keep the cell healthy and performing all of its important functions. The organelles and cytosol, taken together, compose the cell’s cytoplasm.
Figure 1. Prototypical Human Cell: While this image is not indicative of any one particular human cell, it is a prototypical example of a cell containing the primary organelles and internal structures. (Image Credit)