What is a primary role of the nuclear lamina within the nucleus?

The primary role of the nuclear lamina within the nucleus is maintaining the nuclear shape. The nuclear lamina is a dense fibrillar network found inside the inner nuclear membrane, primarily composed of intermediate filaments called lamins. This structure provides mechanical support to the nucleus, helping it retain its shape and architecture, much like scaffolding. It also plays a crucial role in organizing the chromatin and anchoring nuclear pores, contributing to the overall integrity of the nuclear envelope.

While energy production, protein synthesis, and cell division are essential cellular processes, they are not functions attributed to the nuclear lamina. Energy production occurs in the mitochondria, protein synthesis takes place primarily in ribosomes in the cytoplasm, and cell division involves various stages and structures like the mitotic spindle, not the lamina itself. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the specific structural and supportive role that the nuclear lamina serves in the cell nucleus.