New York Nail Technician License Practice Test

What is the dense protoplasm found in the center of a cell called?

1. Plasma

2. Nucleus

3. Cytoplasm

4. Cell membrane

The correct answer is: Nucleus

The dense protoplasm found in the center of a cell is called the nucleus. It serves as the control center for the cell, housing the cell's genetic material – DNA – which is essential for regulating various cellular activities, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction. The nucleus plays a crucial role in the storage and management of genetic information, facilitating processes like transcription and replication, which are vital for cell function and division. This distinction is important in understanding cellular structure; the cytoplasm, while it also contains dense protoplasm, refers to the jelly-like substance outside the nucleus that fills the interior of the cell and contains organelles. The plasma is a component of blood, while the cell membrane is the protective barrier that surrounds the cell, controlling entry and exit of substances. Each of these components has distinct functions, but the nucleus specifically is where the genetic material is stored and processed, making it unique in its role within the cell.