Nucleus and Nucleolus

Here are the functions of each...

Nucleolus: transcription, DNA replication and responce to slow acting hormones

Nucleus: splicing of introns out of the RNA transcript

...but what is the difference between the nucleolus and the nucleus? How does this explain why they have different functions?

Reply 1

iceman_jondoe

nucleolus is kind of the upter exterior surrounding the nucleus...i think

Reply 2

meeeee

No, the nucleolus is a structure inside the nucleus, made up of chromatin. It is responsible for things like synthesis of the ribosomes.

Reply 3

Revenged

meeeee

No, the nucleolus is a structure inside the nucleus, made up of chromatin. It is responsible for things like synthesis of the ribosomes.

The nucleus is also make up of chromatin... and if the only difference is that the nucleolus consists of denser chromatin why does this explain the funcitonal differences? That's what i'm wondering...

Nucleolus is the site of mRNA and rRNA, which are used later to make a ribosome protein - but protein synthesis and formation of ribosomes doesn't occur in the nucleus!?!

Reply 4

corkskrew

Revenged

Nucleolus is the site of mRNA and rRNA, which are used later to make a ribosome protein - but protein synthesis and formation of ribosomes doesn't occur in the nucleus!?!

I was under the impression that the nucleus is the place where all the DNA is stored. It also houses the stuff necesary to transcribe DNA to mRNA. The nucleus isn't really any one thing, but everything within the double layered nuclear membrane... inner and outer membranes. The inner membrane is the boundary of the nucleoplasm.
Within the nucleoplasm are the dense nucleoli... these transcribe rRNA and synthesise ribosomal subunits.

Reply 5

danni_bella

I think nucleolus is meant to be associated with a specific chromosomal site and involved in ribosomal RNA synthesis, and also the formation of ribosomes.

Not sure where it would be in the cell, I think actually IN the nucleus :confused: