Structure of Nucleus

The nucleus is divided into different subparts, those are:

Nuclear Membrane

The nuclear envelope is the other name of the nuclear membrane. It is a double membrane structure that differentiates the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm of the eukaryotic cell. The nuclear membrane is composed of 2 lipid layers, one is outer and the other one is inner. The space present between the 2 layers is known as periplasmic space. Porous structures are present over the nuclear membrane which helps in the transportation of transcriptional factors, proteins, and RNAs.

Chromosome

A chromosome is a structure that is composed of DNA and proteins present in the nucleus. These are the thread-like structures that are seen under the microscope at the time of cell division. The DNA is highly coiled over the histone protein that forms the chromatin. Chromatin can further divide into heterochromatin (highly condensed DNA) and euchromatin (loosely packed DNA). Chromosomes are numbered according to their size, with the largest being chromosome 1 and the smallest being the sex chromosomes, X and Y.

Nucleic Acid

Nucleic acids are large biomolecules, or macromolecules, present in all living cells. They are responsible for carrying and transmitting genetic information from one generation to the next and are essential for the function and survival of cells and organisms. Two types of nucleic acid are found that are DNA and RNA. The DNA is made up of four building blocks called nucleotides – adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T) – they linked together in a specific sequence to form a long, double-stranded helix. Whereas, in the case of RNA Uracil (U) is present in place of Thymine (T) and the rest are the same.

Nuclear Sap

It is a clear, transparent, homogenous colloidal liquid enclosed in the nuclear membrane. The nucleoplasm is a complex solution containing ions, enzymes, nucleotides, and various other biomolecules necessary for the cell’s genetic activity. The nucleoplasm contains genetic material in the form of chromatin, which is the complex of DNA, histone proteins, and other associated proteins. Within the nucleoplasm, there is also the nucleolus, which is a dense region that produces ribosomes, the cellular machines that synthesize proteins.

Nucleolus

The unique structure inside the nucleus of eukaryotic cells is called the nucleolus. It mainly takes part in ribosome assembly, synthesizes and stores RNA, and detects oxidative stress. RNA and proteins, which develop around particular chromosomal areas, make up the nucleolus. It is a significant part of the nucleus. The nucleolus is mainly composed of DNA, RNA, proteins, as well as other elements.

The nucleus (plural: nuclei) is a double-membraned organelle that is found only in eukaryotic cells. The name nucleus comes from a Latin term that means “nut kernel.” The nucleus was discovered by Robert Brown in 1831. It is the first cell organelle that was discovered.

The nucleus is responsible for containing the genetic material that holds the key to regulating all sorts of cellular activities. The presence and absence of the nucleus is one of the important characteristics that differentiate between the two main types of cells.