Nucleus (cell)
Nucleus (cell)
The nucleus (pronounced: /ˈnjuː.kli.əs/, plural: nuclei) is a membrane-bound organelle found in most eukaryotic cells. The term "nucleus" is derived from the Latin word 'nux', meaning 'nut' or 'kernel'.
Structure
The nucleus is the largest organelle in the cell and contains the majority of the cell's genetic material. This material is organized as DNA molecules, along with a variety of proteins, to form chromosomes.
Function
The primary function of the nucleus is to maintain the integrity of these genes and to control the activities of the cell by regulating gene expression. The nucleus is, therefore, the control center of the cell.
Components
The nucleus is composed of several components, including the nuclear envelope, nucleoplasm, and nucleolus.
Nuclear Envelope
The nuclear envelope is a double membrane that encloses the entire nucleus, separating the contents of the nucleus from the cellular cytoplasm.
Nucleoplasm
The nucleoplasm is the type of protoplasm that makes up the bulk of the nucleus. It includes the chromosomes and nucleoli.
Nucleolus
The nucleolus is a non-membrane bound structure composed of proteins and nucleic acids found within the nucleus. It is involved in the production of ribosomes.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nucleus (cell)
- Wikipedia's article - Nucleus (cell)
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski