nucleolus

American  

[noo-klee-uh-luhs, nyoo-] / nuˈkli ə ləs, nyu- /

noun

Cell Biology.

plural

nucleoli

1. a conspicuous, rounded body within the nucleus of a cell.

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nucleolus British  

/ ˌnjuːklɪˈəʊləs /

noun

1. Also called: nucleole.  a small rounded body within a resting nucleus that contains RNA and proteins and is involved in the production of ribosomes

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nucleolus Scientific  

/ no̅o̅-klē′ə-ləs /

plural

nucleoli

1. A small, typically spherical granular body located in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell, composed largely of protein and RNA. When the cell is not undergoing division, loops of DNA from one or more chromosomes extend into the nucleolus and direct the synthesis of ribosomal RNA and the formation of ribosomes. The ribosomes are eventually transferred out of the nucleus via pores in the nuclear envelope into the cytoplasm.

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Other Word Forms

• nucleolar adjective

Etymology

Origin of nucleolus

1835–45; < Late Latin: small kernel, equivalent to nucle ( us ) kernel ( see nucleus) + -olus -ole ¹

Explanation

A nucleolus is the largest structure within the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell. It's the job of a nucleolus to make RNA and ribosomes. In a eukaryote, a cell whose nucleus is contained within a membrane, the nucleolus plays a vital role. It's here that ribosomes, tiny cell machines that produce important proteins, are made. RNA — which works by taking the information in DNA and translating it into proteins — also comes from the nucleolus. Nucleolus basically means "smaller nucleus," from a Latin word meaning "little nut."

Example Sentences

"The advantage of our system is that we could isolate the nucleolus size from all of the other effects of anti-aging strategies," Dr. Gutierrez said.

From Science Daily • Nov. 25, 2024

The nucleolus is a prominent condensate in cells.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2024

All of these stubby arms huddle together to form a structure called the nucleolus, in which DNA is transcribed into ribosomal RNA, which then folds into the ribosomal machinery that makes proteins.

From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2024

The nucleus houses DNA, and the nucleolus within the nucleus is the site of ribosome assembly.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Nerve cells, which may be regarded as the central organs of the nerve fibers, consist of masses of cell protoplasm, with a large nucleus and nucleolus.

From A Practical Physiology by Blaisdell, Albert F.