What is a Nucleus?

The nucleus is the unique characteristic of eukaryotic cells and is only present in eukaryotes. Prokaryotic cells don’t have a true nucleus, instead, they have nucleoids.

The nucleus is a double membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell’s genetic material in the form of DNA, which is organized into structures called chromosomes. The nucleus is usually the largest organelle in the cell and is covered by a double membrane called the nuclear envelope, on which nuclear pores are present that allow the movement of certain molecules in and out of the nucleus.

Inside the nucleus, the DNA is organized into long strands of chromatin, which can condense into discrete chromosomes during cell division. The nucleus also contains a nucleolus, which is a structure that produces ribosomes, the cellular machines that synthesize proteins.

Also Read: Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell

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.