25 facts about the nucleus of a cell

Tuesday, November 22, 2016


If you take a human cheek cell and stain it, then look at the cell under a compound microscope you will see a dark circle inside the cell. This dark circle is the organelle called the nucleus. The nucleus is often described as the control center of the cell, or the brain of the cell. 


Enjoy this list of twenty-five facts about the nucleus.

1. The nucleus was the first cell organelle discovered. In the late 1600s, Antonie von Leeuwenhoek discovered the nucleus in the blood skin cells of fish.


2. In the 1800s Robert Brown found the nucleus in plant cells.


3. The word nucleus is derived from a Latin word nucleus which means 'kernel'.

4. The nucleus is a double membrane-bound organelle present in eukaryotic cells.

5. DNA and RNA are found in the nucleus.

6. The nucleus regulates the heredity characteristics of an organism.   

7. The nucleus also stores proteins and ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the nucleolus.

8. The starting point of protein synthesis which is called transcription begins in the nucleus.

9. The nucleus is a sizable organelle. In  fact, you can see the nucleus with a simple compound microscope.

10. The nucleus is surrounded by a nuclear membrane. This membrane is very similar to the cell membrane, and it is constructed of two layers.

11. The nuclear membrane protects and surrounds the additional parts of the nucleus.

12. You can also find ribosomes on the exterior of the nuclear membrane.

13. On the surface of the nuclear membrane, you will find openings called nuclear pores. After transcription, the messenger RNA travels out of the nucleus through a nuclear pore.

14. Inside the nuclear membrane is a gel-like material.The DNA (chromatin) is suspended in this watery material called the nucleoplasm.

15. Inside the nuclear membrane, you will find the nucleolus. It  is almost like a nucleus inside the nucleus. It has a very high concentration of RNA and is the site of transcription which is the starting point of protein synthesis.

16. The nucleus controls the cell because it houses the DNA. The nucleus uses this information as a blueprint to make stuff like proteins for the cell.

17. Ribosomes are actually made in the nucleolus.

18. All eukaryotic cells possess a nucleus and bacteria and other prokaryotic cells do not possess a nucleus.

19. When the cell is in a resting condition called interphase, there is something called chromatin in the nucleus.

20. DNA and RNA are actually the nucleic acids inside of the nucleus.

21. When the cell is going to divide, the chromatin condenses.

22. When the chromatin finishes condensing, you can see the chromosomes.

23. It is responsible for protein synthesis, cell division, and cell differentiation.

24. Bacteria do not have an organized nucleus.

25. There are openings on the nuclear membrane. They enable objects like the Mrna to travel in and out of the nucleus.


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