What is protoplasm?

Protoplasm is a colorless jellylike substance found in cells. It is the living material within a cell and includes both the cytoplasm and the nuclear material. This viscous substance comprises water, salts, and organic molecules, which help support cellular functions and processes.

Protoplasm plays a crucial role in maintaining the cell's shape, enabling biochemical reactions, and allowing organelles to function effectively. Its jellylike consistency provides the medium in which all the cellular components are suspended, facilitating communication and transportation of nutrients, hormones, and waste products within the cell.

The other options describe different aspects of a cell or its components but do not accurately represent protoplasm. For instance, while the initial perception could be that colorful fluids can exist within certain cells, they do not define the fundamental nature of protoplasm. The skeletal structure of the cell refers to the cytoskeleton, which provides support and shape, but does not encompass the definition of protoplasm. Similarly, while there is fluid outside the nucleus, this is typically part of the cytoplasm, which is only one part of what protoplasm encompasses.