Which organelle contains the genetic material in the form of DNA and controls many cellular activities?

• A. Nucleus
• B. Ribosome
• C. Mitochondrion
• D. Chloroplast

Answer: (A)

The nucleus serves as the central control region of the cell because it houses the genetic material in DNA organized into chromosomes. This DNA carries the genes that direct which proteins are made, governing which cellular activities occur. Transcription of DNA into mRNA happens in the nucleus, and the resulting mRNA is sent to the cytoplasm for translation, linking gene expression to cell function. While other organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts contain some DNA, their genomes are small and largely focused on energy production and photosynthesis, not on controlling the majority of cellular activities. The ribosome, on the other hand, has no DNA and functions in protein synthesis rather than genetic regulation.