Pronunciation: [njˈuːklɪˌə͡ʊl] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the word "nucleole" is actually "nucleolus." The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /njuːkliələs/. It is a structure found within the nucleus of a cell that is responsible for producing ribosomes. The spelling "nucleole" is a common misspelling due to the close sound of the "u" and "o" vowels. It is important to use the correct spelling to avoid confusion in scientific and medical contexts.
A nucleole, also known as a nucleolus, is a small, spherical, membraneless organelle found within the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell. It is primarily responsible for the synthesis and assembly of ribosomal subunits, pivotal for protein synthesis within the cell.
The nucleole is composed of various components, including proteins, nucleic acids, and RNA. It is typically divided into three distinct regions, namely the fibrillar center, the dense fibrillar component, and the granular component. Structurally, the nucleole is organized around chromosomal regions called nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) that contain the genes responsible for encoding ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
The primary function of the nucleole is to synthesize and process rRNA, which serves as the structural backbone for ribosomes. It acts as a factory, producing and modifying the two subunits of the ribosomes, namely the large and small subunits, before they are transported out of the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where they participate in protein synthesis.
Additionally, the nucleole is involved in various cellular processes, such as cell cycle regulation, rRNA methylation, and RNA modification. It also plays a role in the assembly and modification of other RNA molecules, including small nuclear RNA (snRNA) and small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA).
In summary, the nucleole is an important organelle within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, responsible for the synthesis and assembly of ribosomal subunits essential for protein synthesis. It is composed of various components and performs additional functions related to RNA processing and modification.
The word "nucleole" is derived from the Latin word "nucleolus", which means "small nucleus". In Latin, "nucleus" refers to the core or central part of something, while the suffix "-olus" indicates something small or diminutive. Therefore, "nucleolus" originally referred to a small core or nucleus. The term "nucleole" is an anglicized version of "nucleolus" and is commonly used in biology to refer to the small, dense, spherical structure found within the nucleus of a cell.
