Final answer:
The statement in question is false because the nucleus primarily houses DNA, not RNA. RNA is synthesized in the nucleus but functions in the cytoplasm for protein synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'The nucleus houses the cell's genetic material, ribonucleic acid (RNA)' is false. The nucleus does indeed house the cell's genetic material, but it is primarily deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), not RNA. DNA is found as a loosely contained structure called chromatin within the nucleus, where it is associated with histone proteins. When the cell is ready to divide, the chromatin condenses to form chromosomes. RNA is a different type of nucleic acid that is synthesized in the nucleus but primarily functions in the cytoplasm, where it plays a central role in protein synthesis by carrying instructions from DNA to ribosomes. The synthesis of ribosomes themselves occurs within a unique region of the nucleus called the nucleolus.