Nucleus
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Diagram of a cell nucleus.
The nucleus is essentially the brain of the cell. It contains the instructions from the organism to tell the cell its specific function within the plant. The structure is mostly spherical. It takes up about 10% of the cell. The nucleus is surrounded by two membranes. The outer membrane contains pores, openings which allow the nucleus to communicate with the rest of the cell. The double layered membrane is sometimes referred to as the nuclear envelope. Inside the nucleus, there are chromosomes and the nucleolus. Chromosomes contain the DNA and RNA, the instructions for the function of the cell. The chromosomes also assist with cell division. The nucleolus is a dense, spherical structure in the center of the nucleus. It produces ribosomes, the messengers to the cell. Ribosomes are made of mRNA, or messenger RNA, and proteins. The ribosomes are sent throughout the cell, instructing all the different organelles about what they need to do. The nucleus has many functions crucial to the correct functioning of the cell. One of the most important is the storing of heredity material. This is stored in long strands folded up into chromosomes. The DNA inside is the foundation for the proper functioning of the cell. The nucleus is also responsible for the storage and production of ribosomes. It also makes sure that the communication between the nucleus and the rest of the cell is maintained through the transportation of the ribosomes. All in all, the nucleus is responsible for the life of the cell, and ultimately, the plant it is part of.