Nucleus, in biology, a specialized structure occurring in most

cells (except bacteria and blue-green algae) and separated

from the rest of the cell by a double layer, the nuclear
membrane. This membrane seems to be continuous with the
endoplasmic reticulum (a membranous network) of the cell
and has pores, which probably permit the entrance of large
molecules. The nucleus controls and regulates the activities
of the cell (e.g., growth and metabolism) and carries the
genes, structures that contain the hereditary information.
Nucleoli are small bodies often seen within the nucleus; they
play an important part in the synthesis of ribonucleic acid
(RNA) and protein. The gel-like matrix in which the nuclear
components are suspended is the nucleoplasm.
A cell normally contains only one nucleus; under some
conditions, however, the nucleus divides but the cytoplasm
does not. This produces a multinucleate cell (syncytium)
such as occurs in skeletal muscle fibres. Some cellse.g.,
the human red blood celllose their nuclei upon maturation .

Cell Nucleus - Commanding the Cell

The cell nucleus acts like the brain of the cell. It helps control
eating, movement, and reproduction. If it happens in a cell,
chances are the nucleus knows about it. The nucleus is not
always in the center of the cell. It will be a big dark spot
somewhere in the middle of all of the cytoplasm (cytosol).
You probably won't find it near the edge of a cell because
that might be a dangerous place for the nucleus to be. If you
don't remember, the cytoplasm is the fluid that fills cells.

Life Before a Nucleus

Not all cells have a nucleus. Biology breaks cell types into
eukaryotic (those with a defined nucleus) and prokaryotic
(those with no defined nucleus). You may have heard of
chromatin and DNA. You don't need a nucleus to have DNA.
If you don't have a defined nucleus, your DNA is probably
floating around the cell in a region called the nucleoid. A

defined nucleus that holds the genetic code is an advanced

feature in a cell.

Important Materials in the Envelope

The things that make a eukaryotic cell are a defined nucleus
and other organelles. The nuclear envelope surrounds the
nucleus and all of its contents. The nuclear envelope is a
membrane similar to the cell membrane around the whole
cell. There are pores and spaces for RNA and proteins to pass
through while the nuclear envelope keeps all of the
chromatin and nucleolus inside.
When the cell is in a resting state there is something called
chromatin in the nucleus. Chromatin is made of DNA, RNA,
and nuclear proteins. DNA and RNA are the nucleic acids
inside of the cell. When the cell is going to divide, the
chromatin becomes very compact. It condenses. When the
chromatin comes together, you can see the chromosomes.
You will also find the nucleolus inside of the nucleus. When
you look through a microscope, it looks like a nucleus inside
of the nucleus. It is made of RNA and protein. It does not
have much DNA at all.
What is the nucleus and
what does it do?
The nucleus regulates
all cell activity. It does
this by controlling the enzymes present. The chromatin
is composed of DNA. DNA contains the information for
the production of proteins.
What is the nucleus of a cell?
The cell nucleus contains the majority of the cell's genetic material in the form of
multiple linear DNA molecules organized into structures called chromosomes. Each
human cell contains roughly two meters of DNA.

The Nucleus

DNA is turned into RNA through transcription

Your cells are fine-tuned and well-oiled machines. For the most part, they run smoothly, like
a brand-new car on a freshly-paved surface. Many cells have an extremely important
structure that holds all the essential information vital to their ability to perform. Each of these
cells comes with an owner's manual - instructions on how to run day to day operations and
specialized functions. These instructions are your DNA, which is stored in its very own
cellular glove compartment - the nucleus. The nucleus is a membrane-bound structure that
contains the genetic material of a cell. The plural of nucleus is nuclei. Not all cells have
nuclei, but many cells, such as those in plants, fungi, animals, and protists, contain these
structures.
The nucleus is not just a storage compartment for DNA. It's the site of some essential cellular
processes. First, DNA can be duplicated in the nucleus. This process is called replication and
creates an identical copy of DNA. Creating two identical copies of the owner's manual is the
first step in cell division, where each new cell will get its own set of instructions.
Second, the nucleus is the site of transcription. The central dogma of biology states that DNA
is copied into RNA, which is then turned into protein.
Transcription is the process of creating different types of RNA from DNA. Transcription
would be like making copies of individual pages of the owner's manual that can then be
passed out and read by the rest of the cell.
There are three types of RNA that are formed in the nucleus. mRNA, or messenger RNA, is a
code that can be read by the cytoplasmic structure called the ribosome during translation.
Translation is a process that creates proteins from mRNA. A ribosome, which we will
discuss in future lessons, is made up of proteins and a second type of RNA, rRNA or
ribosomal RNA. tRNA, or transfer RNA, is also used during the process of translation. All
three of these RNA types - mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA - are created by the process of
transcription within the nucleus.

Nuclear Structure and Organization

Import proteins help NLS proteins pass through the nuclear pores

The nucleus is the structure responsible for containing DNA and providing a place for
replication and transcription. These processes make sure that the instructions on how to make
you who you are carried out. This is obviously a very important job, so to keep the cell
functioning at top speeds, the nucleus is a well-organized structure.
The nucleus is surrounded by a nuclear envelope, which is a double membrane comprised of
an outer membrane and an inner membrane. This double membrane shields the nucleus and
its contents from unwanted guests. Some proteins need to be in the nucleus to assist in
processes such as replication and transcription. Many proteins, however, have no business
being there. Your DNA, your very own patented genetic owner's manual, is a unique and
prized possession. It needs to be protected.