Answer to Question #101046 in Chemistry for Abhishek

Question

Describe the structure and function of nuclear envelope.

Answer 1

Nuclear envelope consists of two lipid bilayer membranes surrounding the nucleus - inner and outer nuclear membranes. They are connected by nuclear pores that pass through the both membranes and link the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm of a cell. Intermediate filaments represented by the nuclear lamina attach to the inner nuclear membrane and provide support for the nuclear envelope.

Nuclear envelope protects genetic material inside the nucleus from the processes taking place in the cytoplasm (i.e., reactive oxygen species, DNAses, etc). As a result, only nuclear pores are involved in the controlled transport of proteins and RNA between nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. In addition, RNA and DNA metabolism is completely separated from the cytoplasmic processes.