Endoplasm generally refers to the inner (often granulated), dense part of a cell's
cytoplasm. This is opposed to the
ectoplasm which is the outer (non-granulated) layer of the
cytoplasm, which is typically watery and immediately adjacent to the plasma membrane. These two terms are mainly used to describe the cytoplasm of the
amoeba, a protozoan, eukaryotic cell. The nucleus is separated from the endoplasm by the nuclear envelope. The different makeups/viscosities of the endoplasm and ectoplasm contribute to the amoeba's locomotion through the formation of a pseudopod. However, other types of cells have cytoplasm divided into endo- and ectoplasm. The endoplasm, along with its granules, contains water, nucleic acids amino acids, carbohydrates, inorganic ions, lipids, enzymes, and other molecular compounds. It is the site of most cellular processes as it houses the organelles that make up the
endomembrane system, as well as those that stand alone. The endoplasm is necessary for most metabolic activities, including
cell division.