What are the organized gaps in the nuclear membrane that act as exit points for mRNA?

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The correct answer is nuclear pores, which are specifically designed structures embedded in the nuclear envelope. These pores facilitate the transport of molecules between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In the context of mRNA, once it is transcribed from DNA in the nucleus, it must exit the nucleus to reach the ribosomes, where protein synthesis occurs. Nuclear pores serve as gateways, allowing mRNA to pass through the nuclear membrane safely and efficiently.

Other options are not involved in this process. Nuclear caps generally refer to modifications at the ends of mRNA that protect it and help in translation, but they do not serve as exit points. Nuclear receptors are proteins that bind to specific ligands and typically mediate cellular responses, while nucleosomes are structural units of DNA wrapped around histone proteins, forming chromatin, but they do not play a role in the transport of mRNA.

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