SSC GD 2025 PYQ — Question 22

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. hyaloplasm.

• The fluid portion of the cytosol, devoid of any cell organelles, present in both the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell is hyaloplasm.

• Hyaloplasm, also known as the cytoplasmic matrix, is the fundamental ground substance of the cytoplasm. It is found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and acts as the medium in which numerous biochemical reactions occur.

• This fluid-like component contains essential molecules such as enzymes, proteins, and ions that support vital cellular activities. It also provides a framework that maintains the cell’s internal structure and enables the movement of organelles and other substances within the cytoplasm.

• The word “hyaloplasm” comes from the Greek term hyalos, meaning glass, reflecting its transparent and clear appearance. Unlike organelles, it lacks visible structures under a microscope. Importantly, hyaloplasm helps regulate cellular homeostasis by maintaining the proper balance of ions and nutrients.

Other Options:

Nucleoplasm

• Nucleoplasm, or nuclear sap, is the fluid present inside the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. It provides a medium in which nuclear components like chromatin and the nucleolus remain suspended. It also helps in the exchange of materials between the nucleus and the cytoplasm through nuclear pores.

Protoplasm

• Protoplasm refers to the entire living content of a cell, consisting of both cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. It is often described as the fundamental basis of life, since it is within the protoplasm that all essential cellular activities take place.

Lysosome

• Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles containing hydrolytic enzymes that digest and recycle cellular waste materials. They are also involved in autophagy, the process of breaking down damaged cell parts. Because of this self-destructive role, they are commonly called the “suicide bags” of the cell.