Nucleus :
# Introduction :
• Most important organelle.
• It is a double membrane bound organelle.
• Nucleus is a structure which contains chromosomes.
• Each chromosomes contains DNA strands (2) which
are held together by histone protein.
• Prokaryotic cell lack nucleus. Ex :blue green algae
• All living cells consists of nucleus except RBC.
# Discovery :
• First organelle to be discovered.
• Robert brown discovered nucleus
in the year 1831.
# Why RBC do not contain nucleus ?
To increase oxygen carrying capacity of RBC’s, hence they
are enucleated.
# Structure :
• It is separated from rest of the cell by double
layered nuclear membrane.
• Nuclear membrane is made up of phospholipid bi
-layer.
• Nuclear envelope is complex structure.
• It is made up of 2 layers :
Outer layer
Inner layer
Nuclear pores
• Outer membrane of nucleus is continuous with
endoplasmic reticulum.
• Outer membrane is functionally same to the
membrane of endoplasmic reticulum.
• Inner membrane carries unique proteins which are
made only for nucleus.
# nucleoplasm :
• Also known as karyoplasm.
• Present in eukaryotic cell.
• Nuclear matrix is a gel like ground substance that
contain genetic material in the form of DNA.
• When cell is not dividing the genetic material is present
in form of tangled mass ,known as nuclear chromatin.
• When cell division begins , the tangled mass unwind
and appear as distinct strands – Chromosomes.
Components present are :
Nucleolus ,Chromatin ,Nucleotides ,
Nuclear matrix.
# Function:
• Maintain the shape of the nucleus.
• Serve as suspending substance
for DNA and RNA.
# nucleolus :
• Prominent structure within the cell nucleus.
• It is essential for protein synthesis and overall cell
functions
• It also referred as brain of the nucleus
• It is composed of RNA , protein and DNA
# structure of nucleolus :
• Fibrillar center :- Located in central region and where
RNA is transcribed.
• Dense fibrillar :- It surrounds the fibrillar center and
early RNA processing
• Granular component :- It is located on outer of the
nucleolus
# Functions :
• Ribosome biogenesis.
• Cell cycle regulation.
# nuclear pore :
• Is one of series of opening found in cells nuclear
membrane.
• Serve as channel for the selective transport of nucleic
acids and proteins into and out of the nucleus.
• Nuclear pore is the structure that is made of 30
different proteins called nucleoporins.
• These assemble to form nuclear pore complex.
• 120- 130nm in diameter and 50-80nm in height.
# functions of nucleus :
• Storing DNA: The nucleus stores the cell's DNA, which
contains the genetic material for the cell.
• Regulating gene expression: The nucleus separates
the genome from the cytoplasm, which allows for
unique gene expression mechanisms.
• Producing ribosomes: The nucleus produces
ribosomes in the nucleolus, which are organelles that
make proteins in the cell.
# importance of nucleus :
• The nucleus is vital to a cell because it stores the
cell's genetic information and controls the cell's
activities
• The nucleus is the cell's control center, directing
activities like growth,
metabolism, protein synthesis, and reproduction.
• The nucleus regulates cell metabolism by
transmitting the design of the cell's enzymatic profile.
# clinical aspects :
• Mutation in nucleoporins linked to cancer , viral
infections and neurodegenerative disease.
• Hutchison- gilford progeria syndrome- distortion of
nuclear envelope due to accumulation of lamina A,
