In this episode of BioSpeak, we examine the nucleolus, a specialized yet membrane-free region within the cell’s nucleus that is essential for ribosome production. Divided into the granular, fibrillar, and dense fibrillar components, the nucleolus forms around specific chromosomal regions known as nucleolar organizer regions (NOR) during cell interphase. Here, ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is synthesized and combined with ribosomal subunits from the cytoplasm to create functional ribosomes, which are vital for protein synthesis. The nucleolus’s role in cellular function is significant, with ongoing research linking its dysfunction to diseases such as Huntington’s and cancer.