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NUCLEUS
Nucleus is the most prominent and the largest cellular organelle.
It has a diameter of 10 μ to 22 μ and occupies about 10% of total volume
of the cell.
Nucleus is present in all the cells in the body except the red blood cells.
The cells with nucleus are called eukaryotes and those without nucleus
are known as prokaryotes.
Presence of nucleus is necessary for cell division.
STRUCTURE OF NUCLEUS
Nucleus is covered by a membrane called nuclear membrane and contains
many components. Major components of nucleus are nucleoplasm, chromatin
and nucleolus.
Nuclear Membrane
Nuclear membrane is double layered and porous in nature.
Allows the nucleoplasm to communicate with the cytoplasm.
The outer layer of nuclear membrane is continuous with the membrane of
endoplasmic reticulum.
Exchange of materials between nucleoplasm and cytoplasm occurs
through nuclear pores.
Nucleoplasm
Nucleoplasm is a highly viscous fluid that forms the ground substance of
the nucleus. It is similar to cytoplasm present outside the nucleus.
Nucleoplasm surrounds chromatin and nucleolus.
It contains dense fibrillar network of proteins called the nuclear matrix.
The nuclear matrix forms the structural framework for organizing
chromatin.
Nucleolus
Nucleolus is a small, round granular structure of the nucleus.
Each nucleus contains one or more nucleoli.
The nucleolus contains RNA and some proteins.
The RNA is synthesized by five different pairs of chromosomes and
stored in the nucleolus. Later, it is condensed to form the subunits of
ribosomes.
All the subunits formed in the nucleolus are transported to cytoplasm.
In the cytoplasm, these subunits fuse to form ribosomes, which play an
essential role in the formation of proteins.
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Chromatin
Chromatin is a thread-like material made up of large molecules of DNA.
The DNA molecules are compactly packed with the help of a specialized
basic protein called histone. So, chromatin is referred as DNA-histone
complex.
It forms the major bulk of nuclear material.
Nucleosomes are packed together tightly with the help of a histone
molecule to form a chromatin fiber.
Just before cell division, the chromatin condenses to form chromosome
Chromosomes
Chromosome is the rod-shaped nuclear structure that carries a complete
blueprint of all the hereditary characteristics of that species.
A chromosome is formed from a single DNA molecule coiled around
histone molecules.
Each DNA contains many genes.
Normally, the chromosomes are not visible in the nucleus under
microscope. Only during cell division, the chromosomes are visible under
microscope.
All the dividing cells of the body except reproductive cells contain 23
pairs of chromosomes. Each pair consists of one chromosome inherited
from mother and one from father.
The cells with 23 pairs of chromosomes are called diploid cells. The
reproductive cells or sex cells contain only 23 single chromosomes and
these cells are called haploid cells.
FUNCTIONS OF NUCLEUS
1. Control of all the cell activities that include metabolism, protein synthesis,
growth and reproduction (cell division)
2. Synthesis of RNA
3. Formation of subunits of ribosomes
4. Sending genetic instruction to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis through
messenger RNA (mRNA)
5. Control of the cell division through genes
6. Storage of hereditary information (in genes) and transformation of this
information from one generation of the species to the next
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