Final answer:
The nucleoplasm is the gel-like substance within the cell nucleus and is responsible for storing genetic material, making the correct answer (c) Genetic material storage. It's not used for energy production, protein synthesis, or waste disposal, which occur in other organelles like mitochondria and peroxisomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nucleoplasm is the gel-like substance within the nucleus of a cell, and it plays a crucial role in gene expression and the maintenance of the chromosomes and nucleolus. This means that the correct answer to the student's question is (c) Genetic material storage. The nucleoplasm is where the chromatin, composed of DNA and proteins, is located along with the nucleolus, which is responsible for ribosome synthesis.
The nucleolus is a condensed region of chromatin and is eminent in the synthesis of ribosomes, essential for protein synthesis. The nucleus is home to the cell's genetic instructions, which dictate the function and production of various cellular materials, making it the command center of the cell.
Since the nucleoplasm is contained within the nucleus and stores DNA, it cannot be responsible for energy production — a function primarily fulfilled by mitochondria through the transformation of energy-carrying molecules into ATP. Similarly, waste disposal occurs in other specialized structures within the cell, such as lysosomes and peroxisomes.