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Nucleus
Structure
1 The nucleus (the cell’s control center) (a) is the largest,
most important organelle (miniorgan) found in the
cell.
2 The nucleus consists of:
b the nuclear membrane or envelope, in which are
c nuclear pores;
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d the nucleoplasm, a gel-like fluid containing vital
chemicals, such as nutrients;
e chromatin, made of protein and strands of
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which carries inherited
information; and
f the nucleolus, a compact ball of ribonucleic acid (RNA)
and DNA.
a nucleus
b nuclear membrane
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c nuclear pores
d nucleoplasm
f nucleolus
e chromatin
Functions
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The nucleus regulates and coordinates all of the
cell’s activities.
The nuclear membrane is a semipermeable
membrane which allows the passage of vital
substances in and out of the nucleus.
The nucleolus manufactures ribosomes (tiny,
granular organelles). These make proteins.
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Chromatin carries genetic material (inherited
information). This information tells the cell how to
produce proteins – the building blocks of life.
During cell division, chromatin fibers coil up again
and again to produce chromosomes. These enable
the distribution of genetic material to the new
daughter cells created.