What is the role of the nuclear pore in the nucleus?
1. The nuclear pore is a protein-lined channel in the nuclear envelope that regulates the transportation of molecules between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
2. Many higher eukaryotic cells have as many as 2,000 nuclear pore complexes in the nuclear membrane of each cell.
3. This membrane or envelope keeps the DNA safe and contains it within the nucleus. Despite the presence of this membrane, the exchange still has to take place between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, so the nuclear pores serve as transportation and communication channels.
4. This transportation and communication have to be able to happen quickly for cell regulation and health.
5. Some molecules are small enough to pass through the pores, but larger molecules must be recognized by different signal sequences before being allowed to diffuse through the nuclear pores via a concentration gradient.
6. Some substances, like carbohydrates, lipids, and even ribosomes can pass easily, while RNA and some proteins must be "cleared" for release through signal sequences within the nucleus.