Biodiversity
Brain
Genetics
Marine BiOLogy
MicrobiOLogy
PaleontOLogy
ZoOLogy
AnthropOLogy
ArchaeOLogy
Astronomy
Climate Change
Earth
Physics
Water
2, then 4, then 8, then 16...
Did you know that when you started out, you were made of only ONE cell? Now, your body is made of trillions of cells. How did you go from one to trillions? Cells multiply by splitting in half. When a cell is ready to divide, it begins to make a copy of all the DNA in its nucleus. Then, just before it divides, the membrane around the nucleus dissolves and the cell pulls itself in two. Each half takes one copy of the DNA with it. New membranes build around the DNA and new nuclei form. Repeat this several trillion times and you've got you!
nucleus (NEW-clee-us), more than one nuclei
Shape: roundish
Found in: almost every cell
Characteristics: contains the DNA that is responsible for the unique traits that all living things have
Importance: it is the control center of the cell and the storage center for DNA
The nucleus helps a cell:
swim faster
grow and reproduce
see where it's going
Correct!
The nucleus contains a variety of chemicals and proteins, as well as the directions that it needs to grow, divide, and reproduce.
The word "nucleus" comes from the Greek meaning:
little brain
little nut
little power plant
Correct!
In Greek, nucleus means "little nut." Unlike a real nut, the outer protective layer of the nucleus is permeable, which means it has lots of tiny holes that let things pass back and forth through it.
All cells have a nucleus.
Fact
OR
Fiction
?
Fiction
Most kinds of cells have a nucleus, but not all of them. Bacteria and red blood cells in some mammals have no nucleus, so their DNA just floats around inside the cell.