nucleus

/'nju:kliəs/

Thân thiện

The student examines a diagram of a cell's nucleus.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The central and most important part of an object, movement, or group, forming the basis for its activity and growth: This is the core meaning, applicable in both physical and abstract contexts.
   • The positively charged central core of an atom, consisting of protons and neutrons and containing nearly all its mass: This is the specific definition in physics and chemistry.
   • A dense organelle present in most eukaryotic cells, containing the genetic material (DNA) and responsible for controlling cellular activities: This is the specific definition in biology.
   • A discrete mass of gray matter in the central nervous system: This is the specific definition in neuroanatomy.

Examples of Usage

• General/Abstract Core:
  • These five employees form the nucleus of the new project team.
  • The old town is the historical nucleus of the city.
• Physics/Chemistry:
  • An atom's nucleus is surrounded by a cloud of electrons.
  • Nuclear energy is released from the nucleus of an atom.
• Biology:
  • The cell's nucleus contains its chromosomes.
  • Red blood cells in mammals lose their nucleus as they mature.
• Neuroanatomy:
  • The caudate nucleus is involved in motor processes and learning.

Advanced Usage

• "To form the nucleus of": To serve as the central or foundational part around which something develops.
  • Her original idea formed the nucleus of the entire company's strategy.
• In Astronomy: Refers to the solid, central part of a comet.
  • As the comet approached the sun, gases vaporized from its icy nucleus.

Variants and Related Words

• Nuclear (adj): Relating to a nucleus.
  • Nuclear physics; nuclear family.
• Nucleate (verb): To form or act as a nucleus for.
  • The particles nucleate to form ice crystals.
• Nucleolus (n): A small structure within a cell nucleus.
• Nucleon (n): A proton or neutron, as a constituent of an atomic nucleus.

Synonyms

• Core: The central or most important part.
• Heart: The central or innermost part.
• Hub: The effective center of an activity, region, or network.
• Kernel: The central, most important part; a softer, more general synonym.
• Center: The middle point or part.

Antonyms

• Periphery: The outer limits or edge of an area or object.
• Exterior: The outer surface or structure.
• Margin: The edge or border of something.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "Atomic nucleus": The specific term for the nucleus of an atom.
• "Cell nucleus": The specific term for the nucleus of a biological cell.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the central structure of the lens that is surrounded by the cortex
2. any histologically identifiable mass of neural cell bodies in the brain or spinal cord
3. (astronomy) the center of the head of a comet; consists of small solid particles of ice and frozen gas that vaporizes on approaching the sun to form the coma and tail
4. a small group of indispensable persons or things
   • five periodicals make up the core of their publishing program
5. the positively charged dense center of an atom
6. a part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction

Từ đồng nghĩa

• lens nucleus
• core
• core group
• cell nucleus
• karyon