- Also known as protoplasmic streaming, cytoplasmic streaming occurs when the cytoplasm itself moves within the cell membrane in a plant or animal cell. The movement is made mainly as a transportation system in the cell to get the necessary components to the places they need to be. For instance, to move organelles around for metabolic activities or to get proteins and nutrients to the nucleus and other organelles. Cytoplasmic streaming is not completely understood in the way it works. However, it is believed that with a mixture of motor proteins and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) the process occurs and is able to transport molecules all over the cell. In the video below, cytoplasmic streaming can be viewed in an Eldodea cell.
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