Cytoplasmic streaming facts for kids
Cytoplasmic streaming is where there is flow inside the cytoplasm. It is sometimes called protoplasmic streaming or cyclosis.
Streaming is often seen in large plant and animal cells. Cytoplasm moves inside the cells. The flow is driven by forces in the cytoskeleton. The function of the flow is probably to speed up transport of molecules and organelles around the cell. Cytoplasmic streaming is usually found in large cells, larger than about 0.1 mm. In smaller cells diffusion of molecules is rapid, but it slows as the cell size increases. Larger cells need flow to move nutrients inside them rapidly enough for efficient working.
Images for kids
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Top: Idealized cytoplasmic flow in hyphae of Neurospora crassa. Bottom: Actual cytoplasmic flow in hyphae of Neurospora crassa. Microtubules (red) orient themselves perpendicular to flow as they exit the septal hole, deaccelerating the flow faster than the idealized case preventing the formation of eddies on the downstream side of the septum. Nuclei and other proteins aggregate on the upstream side which maintain the integrity of the septum.
See also
In Spanish: Ciclosis para niños
