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Nucleolus

Definition

The nucleolus is a small, dense region within the nucleus of a cell where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is produced and assembled with proteins to form ribosomes.

Analogy

Think of the nucleolus as a factory manager's office in a large manufacturing plant. Just like how the manager oversees production from his office, the nucleolus manages the production of ribosomes in the cell.

Related terms

Nucleus: This is like the entire factory building itself. It's an organelle that houses the cell's DNA and controls its activities, including growth and reproduction.

Chromatin: This can be compared to blueprints or instructions for products in our factory analogy. Chromatin consists of DNA and protein that make up chromosomes.

RNA Polymerase: Like workers who follow instructions to assemble products, RNA polymerase is an enzyme that synthesizes RNA by following a DNA sequence.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.