The nucleus is the prominent structure present in the cells. There are two types of cells. One is Eukaryotic & another is Prokaryotic. In eukaryotic cells, there is a nucleus present. The nucleus is the nerve center of the cells. whatever activities are performed by the cell are controlled by the Nucleus. The nucleus helps to provide the command to the cell on the activity that they are doing. The nucleus mainly takes 10% percent of the volume of the cell. This means, if one sees one cell via the microscope, then one will find the Nucleus as the most prominent one.
Other than controlling the cell activity, Nucleus is used to extract any proteins from the cell. There are lots of proteins required for the cell. These proteins are extracted with the help of the Nucleus. Other than that, there are lots of genetic elements are present in the Nucleus. So, when there will be a cleavage or a combination of cells happening, these genetic structure helps to determine the genetic combination of the resulting cell. So, Nucleus is not only the nervous system of the cell. But the nucleus itself can be considered as the cell. As it can able to do all the activities of any certain cells.
Transport across the Nuclear Membrane
In the nuclear membrane, there are several small pores are present. Those are known as the nuclear pores. These pores are responsible to exchange substances among the nucleus & the cytoplasm. The nucleus is itself separated from the cytoplasm with the help of the nuclear membrane. So, there often is a need to exchange substances. As the nucleus is not the element outside of the cell. So, in that cases, there is a need to exchange substances. This exchange is known as nuclear transport. There are two parts to nuclear transport. One is import to the nucleus & another is export from the nucleus.
Nuclear Import
This is the process where the proteins are transferred from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. There are lots of proteins in the cytoplasm. Among them, some proteins need to be inserted into the nucleus. To differentiate those proteins, there are certain substance is present. That is known as Nuclear Localization Signals (NLS). This signal is made up of a series of amino acids. There are Lysins and Arginine amino acids are present at the surface of the NLS. This substance works as the tag for the proteins. The proteins that have the NLS tag will be allowed to pass through the pores of the nuclear membrane.
Whenever the NLS is attached to any protein, then the protein is known as the Importins. This means they are marked to move inside the nucleus. Now, there is a special protein present. That is known as the RAN G-Proteins. These RAN proteins have two different formats. In the cytoplasm, it is bounded by the Guanosine Diphosphate (GDP) & creates an object known as the RAN-GDP. In the nucleus, there is another substance. The RAN proteins are bounded with the Guanosine Triphosphate (GTP). This creates the RAN-GTP.
Importins are also known as Cargo proteins. Because it is still bounded with the NLS. The main intention is to bring only the protein inside the nucleus. But there is still the NLS with the protein. Now, the cargo protein will bring inside the nucleus. There is the RAN-GTP substance protein is present. both things will react with each other. As a result, the only protein that needs to be inserted will come out. So, the NLS & RAN-GTP will disappear from there. In this way, any proteins are carried in the side of the nucleus.
Nuclear Export
Now, nuclear transport will not be in only one direction. It is a bidirectional process. There is a need to move out any substances from the nucleus to the cytoplasm of the cells. for that reason, there is a process known as Nuclear Export. In this case, also, any proteins that are inside the nucleus are marked with the NLS. Sometimes, the NLS inside of the nucleus is termed the Nuclear Export Signals (NES). Mainly, the NES & NLS are the same things. So, the NLS is bounded with the protein to mark it. These proteins are now allowed to move through the nuclear membrane.
The proteins are now termed cargo proteins. But these portions can’t move out from the nucleus. For moving out from the nucleus, the RAN-GTP proteins bind with it. Now, these proteins become the Exportins. As they become the Exportins, they can able to move through the nuclear pores. They will simply diffuse through the pores.
Now, the Exportins or the cargo proteins are outside of the nucleus. They are now in the cytoplasm. But the main intention is to bring only the proteins from the nucleus. But there is still the NLS & RAN-GTP present. so, the RAN-GTP will remove one ion from it & again it becomes the RAN-GDP. The NLS will be detached from the cargo proteins. And hence pure proteins are now available in the cytoplasm. In this way, any proteins are carried outside of the nucleus.
Importance of Nucleus
The nucleus is the most important structure of the human body. It might seem like the little element in the body. But it is not less essential than the hands or legs of the human. This is the main commanding element of the human body. Every cell is controlled by the Nucleus. If there is no Nucleus present, then the command of the cells will be destroyed. Along with that, the Nucleus is the storing space of the DNA & RNA. So, if the Nucleus is not present in the human body the system will be collapsed. All the genetic information will be disappeared.
The nucleus is also the synthesizing place of the DNA & RNA. The doubling process of DNA & RNA is being done here. In absence of the Nucleus, there will be a crisis of the place where the doubling should be done. The nucleus commands the cell to make a growth. It helps to divide a cell into one or more parts. So, it has a role in the body’s development. So, in absence of the Nucleus, the body’s development will hamper large cells. so, it is quite clear that, without the help of the Nucleus, the body’s performance will be hampered. So, there should not be any question about the importance of the Nucleus.
Function of Nucleus
- Store Room For Genetic Materials: The nucleus is the storeroom of the Genetic materials. DNA & RNA can be found only in the Nucleus. DNA & RNA are the important elements that are responsible for the hereditary or the inheritance of the human body. The nucleus is responsible to store these elements inside of it. Not only that, all the operations related to the genetic elements are performed here. So, Nucleus is the work ground of genetic materials.
- Transcription Of Genetic Materials: As the DNA & RNA are stored inside the Nucleus, there should be some operations need to be executed. Transcription is the process that is executed in the Nucleus. Transcription is a process that can be witnessed in DNA & RNA. It is the process by which the DNA & RNA gets replicated. This means from one DNA or RNA another set is created. All these actions happened in the Nucleolus of the Nucleus.
- Commanding The Cell Activity: The nucleus is responsible for commanding the cell. Cells have different activities in our bodies. Some cells help in the immune system of the body. Where some cells help to secrete hormones from the body. All commanding purposes are executed with the help of the Nucleus. The nucleus is like the nervous system of the cell.
- Performing Cell Growth: The nucleus is the key factor that triggers cell growth. The Nucleus triggers the cell division process. That helps to create a growth of the cell. This means from one cell to another many cells will be developed. from one Nucleus, two or more Nuclei developed for those cells. The nucleus helps to have the body’s growth. As cell growth is none other than the growth of the body.
- Synthesizing Of Proteins: The nucleus is the warehouse of the proteins. There are a large number of proteins present in the Nucleus. The nucleus helps to synthesize some necessary proteins for cell growth. Sometimes, it is used to destroy some foreign elements. As the Nucleus is itself made of proteins. So, it is necessary to synthesize proteins for it.
FAQs on Nucleus
Question 1: What is Nucleus?
Answer:
The nucleus is a spherical-shaped element in the cells. This is completely made up of proteins. This is a double layered element in the animal body cells. This is the nervous system of the cells. This provides a command to the cells on the activity of the cells.
Question 2: How many layers are there in the Nuclear Membrane?
Answer:
In the Nuclear Membrane, there are two layers. The outer layer is made up of lipid linings. And the inner layer is made up of protein linings. In between them, there is a perinuclear space.
Question 3: Do the Nucleus and Nucleolus are the same things?
Answer:
No. Nucleus & Nucleolus is different things. The nucleus is the main component of the cell. Whereas the Nucleolus is the element inside the Nucleus. So, they are not similar. Both elements are made up of proteins. But they are not similar.
Question 4: What are the substances needed to perform Nuclear Import & Nuclear Export in Nuclear Transport?
Answer:
To perform Nuclear Import, the Importins are the element that is needed. For performing Nuclear Export, there is a need to have Exportins as essential elements. They all help to transport elements through the Nuclear Membrane.
Question 5: What is nuclear transport?
Answer:
Transport of cargo, mrNA from nucleus to the cytoplasm or from cytoplasm to nucleus is known as nuclear transport.