The nucleus acts like the brain of the cell because it contains the cell's genetic material, DNA, which controls the cell's activities and functions. It regulates the cell's growth, reproduction, and metabolism. Like a brain, the nucleus is responsible for coordinating and controlling the various processes within the cell, making it the central control center. The other options, such as the mitochondria, chloroplast, and cell wall, have important roles in the cell but do not function as the brain-like the nucleus does.