Which organelle is known as the command center of the cell?

The nucleus is recognized as the command center of the cell because it houses the cell's genetic material, DNA. This organelle regulates all cellular activities and functions primarily through gene expression, whereby it dictates which proteins are synthesized and when. By controlling the synthesis of RNA from DNA, the nucleus orchestrates the processes that lead to the production of proteins essential for various cellular functions.

In contrast, mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell, as they are responsible for producing ATP through cellular respiration. The endoplasmic reticulum plays a crucial role in the synthesis, folding, modification, and transport of proteins and lipids but does not control cellular functions directly. The Golgi complex is involved in sorting and modifying proteins produced in the endoplasmic reticulum and packaging them for transport, but it does not drive the overall activities of the cell as the nucleus does. Thus, the nucleus is rightly termed the command center due to its central role in maintaining the cell's integrity and function.