• Question: Why is the nucleus in a white blood cell a funny shape?

    Asked by 495munm45 to Ben, Lizzie, Francis, Max, Sian on 13 Mar 2018.
    • Photo: Max Jamilly

      Max Jamilly answered on 13 Mar 2018:

      GREAT question. The short answer is that we’re not really sure. The nucleus contains genes which code for the proteins a cell needs to do its job. The genes are encoded on DNA which is normally very tightly curled up in the nucleus. Some highly active cells need better access to the genes in their DNA than others.

      I asked a friend who uses super-sensitive microscopes to investigate cell nuclei and he agrees with me that myeloid cells probably have kidney-shaped nuclei because they are very actively expressing their genes, so the DNA in the nucleus needs to be unwound and easy to read.

      I’ll do some more digging!

    • Photo: Ben Mulhearn

      Ben Mulhearn answered on 13 Mar 2018:

      I was thinking the same thing Max – amazing question!! My first thought was that I’m not really sure either, but in agreement with Max these cells are really highly active, and therefore their nucleus (which is the control room of the cell) must be accessible easily, hence the shape. But that was only my guess!

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