The nuclear envelope of a eukaryotic cell is a double membrane that surrounds the nucleus and separates it from the cytoplasm, and it is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum and perforated by nuclear pores that regulate transport in and out of the nucleus.

Key points in simple form

  • It consists of two lipid bilayers: an inner and an outer membrane, with a thin perinuclear space between them.
  • The outer nuclear membrane is continuous with the membrane of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and can have ribosomes attached.
  • It contains many nuclear pores that allow controlled exchange of proteins, RNA, and other molecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm.
  • It helps protect the DNA and maintain the nucleus as a distinct compartment within the eukaryotic cell.