Which structure contains the cell's DNA and directs its activities?

Which structure contains the cell's DNA and directs its activities?

• A. Cytoplasm
• B. Ribosome
• C. Nucleus
• D. Golgi apparatus

Answer: (C)

The nucleus is the structure that contains the cell's DNA and directs its activities. It serves as the control center for the cell, housing the genetic material organized as chromatin or chromosomes. The DNA within the nucleus codes for proteins, which are essential for a variety of cellular functions, including metabolism, growth, and reproduction. The nucleus not only stores this genetic information but also plays a vital role in regulating gene expression, which determines how and when specific proteins are made. It also facilitates the replication of DNA during cell division, ensuring that genetic information is accurately passed on to daughter cells. Other cellular structures, such as the cytoplasm, ribosomes, and Golgi apparatus, each have important functions, but they do not contain the DNA or direct the overall activities of the cell. The cytoplasm is the gel-like substance where cellular processes occur, ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, and the Golgi apparatus modifies and packages proteins for secretion. However, none of these can direct cellular activities in the same fundamental way that the nucleus does.

The nucleus is the structure that contains the cell's DNA and directs its activities. It serves as the control center for the cell, housing the genetic material organized as chromatin or chromosomes. The DNA within the nucleus codes for proteins, which are essential for a variety of cellular functions, including metabolism, growth, and reproduction.

The nucleus not only stores this genetic information but also plays a vital role in regulating gene expression, which determines how and when specific proteins are made. It also facilitates the replication of DNA during cell division, ensuring that genetic information is accurately passed on to daughter cells.

Other cellular structures, such as the cytoplasm, ribosomes, and Golgi apparatus, each have important functions, but they do not contain the DNA or direct the overall activities of the cell. The cytoplasm is the gel-like substance where cellular processes occur, ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, and the Golgi apparatus modifies and packages proteins for secretion. However, none of these can direct cellular activities in the same fundamental way that the nucleus does.