Nucleus

&
Nucleolus
By
Anup R. Kodape
M.Sc IST
HISLOP College, NAGPUR.
History
-Discovered in 1831 by
Scottish botanist Robert
Brown

-Suggested the nucleus

played a key role in
fertilization and development
of the embryo in plants

-Name (nucleus) derived from

the Latin word for kernel/nut Robert Brown
1773-1858
Main Characteristics
 Membrane-enclosed organelle
found in eukaryotic cells

 Generally found in the central

region of the cell (in animal
cells)

 Roughly spherically shaped

 Largest and most easily seen

organelle and it termed as heart
of a cell .
Morphology
Usually cell contains single nucleus but
the no. of nucleus may vary from cell to cell.
 1.Mononucleate. E.g.- Animal and Plant cells.

 2.Binucleate .E.g. – Paramecium .

 3.Polynucleate . E.g.- Osteoblast , Fungi.

SHAPE
 The shape of nucleus is remain related with
the shape of cell , but certain nucleus are
irregular in shape .
 The spheroid , cuboidal or polyhedral cells
contain the spheroid nuclei .
 Glandular cells of insects and spermatozoa
contains irregular shaped nucleus .
SIZE
 Generallynucleus occupies 10 % of the total
cell volume.

 Nuclei
vary in size from about 3µm - 25µm in
diameter.
 Primary Functions within
the Cell
 Repository of genetic information (DNA & RNA)

 Enables the synthesis of nearly all proteins

 Houses the nucleolus

 Responsible for production of ribosomes

 Selective transportation of regulatory factors and

energy molecules through nuclear pores
ULTRASTRUCTURE
 The nucleus is composed of following
structures.
 1. Nuclear membrane
 2. Nucleoplasm
 3. Nucleolus
Nuclear Envelope(perinuclear
cisterna)

 Nuclear membrane is made up of phospholipid bi

layer.
 Nuclear envelop encloses the DNA .
 Nuclear envelop possesses a nuclear pores which
are help in transportation of material from nucleus.
 The outer surface of nuclear membrane is generally
studded with ribosomes engaged in protein
synthesis , these protein made on these ribosomes
are transported into space between the inner and
outer nuclear membrane ,called peri-nuclear space .
 Nuclear Envelope
Consists of:

 Phospholipid bi-layer
membrane

 Nuclear Pores

 Ribosomes
Nuclear Pores
 Allow small molecules to diffuse
easily between nucleoplasm &
cytoplasm

 Control passage of proteins &

RNA protein complexes

 Import: proteins moving in to be

incorporated into nuclear structure
or to catalyze nuclear activities

 Export: RNA / RNA-protein

complexes to the cytoplasm
NUCLEOPLASM
 The space between the nuclear envelop and the nucleolus is
filled by transparent , semisolid granular and slightly acidophilic
ground substance is k/as the nucleoplasm or karyolymph.
 1. Nucleic acid – most commonly DNA and RNA .
 2. Proteins – basic proteins are nucleoprotamines and the
nucleohistones .
 3. Enzymes – DNA/RNA polymerase , Nucleoside3 P ,
adenosine 3 P ,adenosine Diaminase , Aldolase.
 4.Minirals – P, K , Na , Ca , Mg .
 5. Lipids are in very low quantity in nucleoplasm.
 Nucleolus
 Largest structure present inside the boundaries
of the nucleus

 Dark staining zone in center of nucleus

 Where intensive synthesis of ribosomal RNA

takes place

 Maincomponents are ribonucleic acid (RNA),

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and proteins
Structure
REFERANCE
 1. Images from Google.com
 2. Cell biology, Genetics, Molecular biology,
Evolution and ecology

* Authors – P.S. Verma

V.K. Agarwal .