Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the nucleus?

The characteristic that does not pertain to the nucleus is that it is described as "spherical, rod-shaped organelles." The nucleus is primarily known for its role as the control center of the cell, housing the DNA and being surrounded by a nuclear membrane. While the nucleus can have various shapes depending on the cell type, it is typically not referred to as a "rod-shaped organelle" and is more commonly described as being spherical or ovoid in shape. The other characteristics accurately represent the nucleus’s functions and structure—it indeed controls the functions of the cell, contains DNA organized into chromosomes, and is enclosed by a nuclear membrane to separate its contents from the cytoplasm. Understanding these traits is fundamental in cell biology, as the nucleus plays a crucial role in genetic regulation and cellular function.