nucleu

Nucleu is a term used in Romanian to denote the nucleus or kernel of something. It serves as a general label for the central, essential part of an object, system, or concept, and it appears across several fields, often with domain-specific meanings. The word derives from Latin nucleus, meaning kernel or core.

In biology, the nucleus is the membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the genome. It is bordered by the nuclear envelope with pores that regulate transport between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Inside, the genome is organized as chromatin, and a specialized structure called the nucleolus assembles ribosomes. The nucleus governs cellular activities by controlling gene expression and DNA replication.

In physics and chemistry, the atomic nucleus is the central region of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons (collectively called nucleons). The nucleus is held together by the strong nuclear force, and its composition determines the element (number of protons) and isotopes (numbers of neutrons). Nuclear processes such as fission and fusion involve changes to the nucleus, releasing substantial energy.

In computing, the kernel, sometimes referred to as nucleu in Romanian, is the core component of an operating system. It manages access to hardware, memory, and processes, and provides essential services to software. Kernel designs vary, from monolithic to microkernel architectures, influencing how drivers, scheduling, and security are implemented.

The term nucleu also appears in broader, metaphorical use to indicate the central or most important part of a system or idea. See nucleus for related meanings and disambiguation.