Nucleus is found as a spherical or oval structure, usually located in the centre of the cell. Nucleus was discovered by an English biologist, Robert Brown in 1831. Nucleus has the following components:
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Nuclear membrane: Nuclear membrane separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm. It is a double membrane with a space between the outer and inner membrane. The membrane is perforated by several nuclear pores, which allow exchange of materials between the nucleus and cytoplasm.
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Nuclear sap (nucleoplasm): It is the cytoplasm within nuclear membrane in which chromatin and nucleoli are suspended.
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Nucleolus: Usually, one spherical body called nucleolus is present inside the nucleus. Nucleolus lacks a membrane. It is rich in proteins and RNA (ribonucleic acid); is concerned with the formation of ribosomes, and helps in protein synthesis.
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Chromatin material: A nucleus contains a network of threads which constitute the chromatin. The chromatin material mainly consists of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Its main function is to store and transmit hereditary information from one generation to another. During cell division, chromatin becomes more distinctly visible into a definite number of rod-like bodies called chromosomes. Chromosomes bear many extremely minute particles called the genes. \n\t
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The functions of the nucleus are listed below:
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Nucleus is the chief controlling centre of the cell. It contains chromosomes which carry the genes. The genes are responsible for transmission of hereditary characters from one generation to another.
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Nucleus controls metabolic activities taking place in the cell. Since cellular metabolic activities are controlled by enzymes. Synthesis and regulation of the activity of enzymes are controlled by the nucleus.
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Simple step-by-step solutions to Exercises questions of The Cell from A New Approach to I.C.S.E. Biology. Also get 3D topic explainers, cheat sheets, and unlimited doubts solving on EMBIBE.