How the nucleus control cellular function?

Answer 1

Nucleus is a spherical-shaped organelle present in every eukaryotic cell. As compared to other cell organelles, the nucleus is the most prominent one, which accounts to about 10 percent of the cell's volume. In general, a eukaryotic cell has only one nucleus. However, some eukaryotic cells are enucleate cells (without nucleus), for example,red blood cells (RBCs); whereas, some are multinucleate (consists of two or more nuclei), for example, slime molds. Nucleus is separated from the rest of the cell or cytoplasm by a nuclear membrane.

Cell Nucleus: Structure

The structure of a cell nucleus consists of nuclear membrane (nuclear envelope), nucleoplasm, nucleolus and chromosomes. Nucleoplasm, also known as karyoplasm, is the matrix present inside the nucleus. Let's discuss in brief about the several parts of a cell nucleus.

Nuclear Membrane
The nuclear membrane is a double-layered structure that encloses the contents of the nucleus. The outer layer of the nuclear membrane is connected to the endoplasmic reticulum. A fluid-filled space or perinuclear space is present between the two layers of a nuclear membrane. The nucleus communicates with the remaining of the cell or cytoplasm through several openings called nuclear pores. Nuclear pores are the sites for the exchange of large molecules (proteins and RNA) between the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Chromosomes
Chromosomes are present in the form of strings of DNA and histones (protein molecules) called chromatin. Chromatin is further classified into heterochromatin and euchromatin based on the function. The former type is a highly condensed trancriptionally inactive form, mostly present in adjacent to the nuclear membrane. Euchromatin is a delicate, less condensed organization of chromatin, which is found abundantly in a transcribing cell.

Nucleolus
The nucleolus is a dense, spherical-shaped structure present inside the nucleus. Some of the eukaryotic organisms have nucleus that contains up to four nucleoli. The nucleolus plays an indirect role in protein synthesis by producing ribosomes. Ribosomes are cell organelles made up of RNA and proteins; they are transported to the cytoplasm, which are then attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosomes are the protein-producing structures of a cell. Nucleolus disappears when a cell undergoes division and is reformed after the completion of cell-division.

Cell Nucleus: Functions

Speaking about the functions of a cell nucleus, it controls the hereditary characteristics of an organism and is responsible for the protein synthesis, cell division, growth and differentiation. Here is a list of the functions carried out by a cell nucleus:

• Storage of hereditary material, the genes in the form of long and thin DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) strands, referred to as chromatins.
• Storage of proteins and RNA (ribonucleic acid) in the nucleolus.
• Nucleus is a site for transcription in which messenger RNA (MRNA) are produced for the protein synthesis.
• Exchange of hereditary molecules (DNA and RNA) between the nucleus and rest of the cell.
• During the cell division, chromatins are arranged into chromosomes.
• Production of ribosomes (protein factories) in the nucleolus.
• Selective transportation of regulatory factors and energy molecules through nuclear pores.

As the nucleus regulates the integrity of genes and gene expression, it is also referred to as the control center of a cell. Overall, the cell nucleus stores all the chromosomal DNA of an organism.