Nucleus

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/nucleus

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the cellular location?The defining organelle of eukaryotic cells, typically centrally located
2. What is the primary component?Contains the cell's genome, organized as chromatin and chromosomes
3. What is the nucleus in a cell?The nucleus is the cell's boss, a special part that holds all the DNA instructions and controls what the cell does.
4. Why does the nucleus have a double membrane?The double membrane keeps the DNA safe from harmful enzymes and the outside environment, while letting important molecules in and out through tiny pores.

Nuclear Envelope: A double membrane surrounding the nucleus, regulating passage of molecules via nuclear pores.
Chromatin: The complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.
Gene Expression: The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, such as a protein.
Nucleolus: A dense structure within the nucleus responsible for synthesizing ribosomal RNA and assembling ribosomes.