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nucleole

Though a nucleole is tiny, it's the largest part of a eukaryotic cell's nucleus. A nucleole is made up of protein, RNA, and DNA.

In biology, nucleole is another word for nucleolus; both words mean "small nucleus," from a Latin word meaning "a little nut." The microscopic nucleole is often described by scientists as a "ribosome factory," churning out the tiny particles that produce important proteins from amino acids. All of this work happens in eukaryotes, cells with membrane-enclosed nuclei.

Definitions of nucleole
  1. noun
    a small round body of protein in a cell nucleus; such organelles contain RNA and are involved in protein synthesis
    synonyms: nucleolus
    see moresee less
    type of:
    cell organ, cell organelle, organelle
    a specialized part of a cell; analogous to an organ
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