Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is the role of cytoplasm in cells?

1. It acts as a waste disposal system

2. It plays an important part in cell reproduction and metabolism

3. It protects the nucleus

4. It regulates cell division

The correct answer is: It plays an important part in cell reproduction and metabolism

The cytoplasm plays a critical role in the overall functioning of the cell, particularly in relation to metabolism and the synthesis of proteins. Inside the cytoplasm, various organelles, such as mitochondria and ribosomes, are suspended in a gel-like substance that facilitates biochemical reactions necessary for cell function. Moreover, the cytoplasm provides the medium in which cellular processes occur, allowing for the transportation of materials within the cell. It also supports cell shape and helps maintain structural integrity. The reference to cell reproduction is relevant because the cytoplasm is involved in processes like cytokinesis, where the actual division of the cytoplasm occurs during cell division, leading to the formation of two distinct daughter cells. The other options, while they pertain to cell function, do not accurately encapsulate the primary role of the cytoplasm in the same comprehensive manner. Waste disposal, protection of the nucleus, and regulation of division are functions more closely associated with specific organelles or cell structures rather than the cytoplasm itself, which serves a more foundational role encompassing numerous metabolic processes.