Editing Cytoplasm (section)

===As a glass===

It has been proposed that the cytoplasm behaves like a [[glass]]-forming liquid approaching the [[glass transition]].<ref name="autogenerated1" /> In this theory, the greater the concentration of cytoplasmic components, the less the cytoplasm behaves like a liquid and the more it behaves as a solid glass, freezing more significant cytoplasmic components in place (it is thought that the cell's metabolic activity can fluidize the cytoplasm to allow the movement of such more significant cytoplasmic components).<ref name="autogenerated1" /> A cell's ability to vitrify in the absence of metabolic activity, as in dormant periods, may be beneficial as a defense strategy. A solid glass cytoplasm would freeze subcellular structures in place, preventing damage, while allowing the transmission of tiny proteins and metabolites, helping to kickstart growth upon the cell's revival from [[dormancy]].<ref name="autogenerated1" />