Towards a minimal cytoplasm

Cytoplasm is common to all living cells and is increasingly recognized for its active role in facilitating and regulating intracellular reactions. Models for the crowded, dynamic, and compartmentalized cytoplasm should therefore be -considered for incorporation in minimal cells. This chapter begins with an -introduction to biological cytoplasm and then describes several approaches to -primitive models of the intracellular environment. Key aspects of the -cytoplasm that have been incorporated in model systems thus far include restricted -volumes, -macromolecular crowding, and colocalization or compartmentation of -biomolecular components.