Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is the control center of a cell, which also contains genetic material?

1. Ribosome

2. Cell Membrane

3. Cytoplasm

4. Nucleus

The correct answer is: Nucleus

The nucleus serves as the control center of a cell, playing a critical role in cellular function and regulation. It contains the cell's genetic material, specifically DNA, which carries the instructions necessary for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of the organism. In eukaryotic cells, the nucleus is enclosed by a double membrane called the nuclear envelope, separating the genetic material from the cytoplasm and providing a controlled environment for processes such as transcription and DNA replication. This central role in housing and protecting the genetic information, along with coordinating cellular activities by regulating gene expression, distinguishes the nucleus from other cellular components. For instance, ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis but do not contain genetic material. The cell membrane primarily functions as a barrier, controlling the entry and exit of substances, while the cytoplasm encompasses all cellular components outside the nucleus but doesn't house the genetic material itself. Thus, the nucleus is indeed the correct answer as the control center of the cell containing genetic material.