Cytology (Part 3)

Nucleus

Dr. Asmaa Abd Elfattah

 THE NUCLEUS
Definition:
The nucleus is the most distinct component of the cell.
It carries the genetic information encoded in the DNA of
the chromosomes. It plays an important role in
controlling all cellular function.
- Blood RBCs and blood platelets have no nuclei.
- Nuclei may have different numbers, shapes, sizes and

locations.
Appearance:
a. Pale (Vesicular) (Open face nucleus) as in nerve cells.
b. Dark (Condensed) (Closed face nucleus) as in
lymphocytes.
Appearance.

.Shapes & Locations

 STRUCTURE OF THE NUCLEUS
:Nucleus is formed of
.Nuclear membrane .1 .Nuclear chromatins .2
.Nucleolus .3 .Nuclear sap.4
1. Nuclear Membrane (Envelope)
The Light microscope (LM:)
It appears as a single basophilic line.
The Electron microscope (EM:)
It appears as a double walled membrane with many
pores.
a. Inner nuclear membrane:
It is rich in chromatin granules on its inner aspect
(peripheral chromatin.)
b. Outer nuclear membrane:
It is rich in ribosomes on its outer surface.
It is continuous with the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
c. Nuclear pores:
1.The two membranes fuse at intervals forming
opening called nuclear pores.
2.At site of each pore chromatin material
(Peripheral Chromatin) is deficient.
3.They permit the passage of certain materials in
both directions between the nucleus and cytoplasm.
STRUCTURE OF THE NUCLEUS
.-2The Nucleolus:
1.The nucleolus is a basophilic mass formed of many
Ribosomal RNA and few inactive DNA.
2. It is surrounded by chromatin materials.
3.The nucleolus disappears during cell division but it
reappears in new daughter cells.
4.The nucleolus may enlarge in protein-forming cells
and in rapidly growing cancer cells.
LM:
It appears as a dark
basophilic spherical mass.
The Electron microscope (EM:)
It is formed of light and dark areas.
a. The light areas are very rich in nuclear sap.
b.The dark areas is called nuclear organizer, it is
composed of granular and fibrillar parts
c.The Granular Part (Pars Granulosa) is formed of
granules of mature ribosomal RNA (rRNA.)
d.The fibrillar Part (Pars Fibrosa)
is formed of filaments of
newly formed ribosomal RNA.
 .3The chromatin material
It consists of a double-stranded DNA bound with a core
of histone proteins.
In non-dividing cells chromatin is present in two forms
(Heterochromatin and Euchromatin.)
 Heterochromatin Euchromatin
Condensed inactive chromatin -1 Extended active chromatin -1
- Present in closed face nuclei2 - Present in open face nuclei 2
Contains inactive genes 3 - Contains active genes3
They do not direct any protein 4 They control protein synthesis -4
Synthesis
LM: It appear as darkly stained .LM: It is not seen by LM
basophilic granules
EM: The darkly-stained granules is EM: It appears only with the
distributed within the nucleus electron microscope at very
Peripheral chromatin: It lies close to .1 high magnifications
the inner side of the nuclear
.membrane
Chromatin islands: They are scattered .2
.masses in the nuclear sap
Nucleolus associated chromatin: .3
present around the nucleolus
STRUCTURE OF THE NUCLEUS
 . 4Nuclear Sap (nuclear matrix)
It is a protein Colloidal solution present between the
chromatin and the nucleolus.
It is formed of:
Nucleoproteins, enzymes, phosphorus, potassium
and calcium.
Functions of nucleus
1. It is important for cell division.
2. It carries the genetic information.
3. It forms RNA for protein synthesis.