The cell's manager

The idea

The nucleus regulates all the activities that occur within the cell, including its growth.

Who is in charge?

A cell does many things: it takes materials in, sends waste out, and grows. Something has to regulate all of this, like a manager in a busy shop.

Which part of the cell do you think does the regulating?

• The cell membrane
• The nucleus
• The cytoplasm

Who does which job?

Read each job. Tap the part of the cell that does it.

The nucleus regulates

The nucleus regulates all the activities that occur within the cell. It also regulates growth.

• Part | Job
• Cell membrane | Lets materials in and waste out
• Cytoplasm | Most life processes take place here
• Nucleus | Regulates all activities, including growth

Notes

The nucleus regulates all the activities that occur within the cell, including its growth.

Check yourself

Which part of the cell regulates all its activities?

Besides all the activities, what else does the nucleus regulate?

Where is the nucleus in the cell, and what covers it?

• The nucleus — correct. Yes. The nucleus regulates all the activities in the cell.
• The cell membrane. The membrane lets materials in and waste out. It does not regulate everything.
• The cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is where most life processes take place, but the nucleus regulates them.
• The growth of the cell — correct. Yes. The nucleus also regulates the growth of the cell.
• The colour of the cell wall. The nucleus regulates the cell's activities and growth.
• Which cells are next to it. The cell membrane separates one cell from another. The nucleus regulates the cell's own activities and growth.
• In the middle, covered by a thin membrane — correct. Yes. The nucleus is the round structure in the middle, covered by a thin membrane.
• On the outside, covered by the cell wall. The nucleus is inside, in the middle. It has its own thin membrane.
• Spread all over the cytoplasm. It is a round structure in the middle.