Structure

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• Nuclear content
  • Chromatin: complex of DNA, histones, and nonhistone proteins
  • Nucleolus: site of rRNA synthesis and ribosomal subunit assembly

Functions

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• Storage of the entire genetic information of an organism in the form of chromatin (except mitochondrial DNA)
• Duplication of genetic information before cell division (DNA replication): See the cell cycle for further information.
• Transcription: initial step of protein synthesis
• Synthesis of rRNA in the nucleolus
• Packaging and protection of inactive DNA by histones