centriole
Noun: A centriole is a small, cylindrical organelle found in pairs near the nucleus in most animal cells. It is composed of a specific arrangement of nine sets of three microtubules (nine triplet microtubules). Centrioles play a crucial role in organizing microtubules during cell division, forming structures called asters as part of the mitotic spindle.
The word centriole is a scientific term used in cell biology. It functions exclusively as a countable noun.
Examples: * Under the microscope, each centriole appears as a tiny barrel-shaped structure. * The centrioles duplicate during the cell cycle in preparation for mitosis. * A key function of the centriole is to help organize the microtubule network.
- Basal Body Function: In addition to their role in cell division, a centriole can serve as a basal body, anchoring and organizing the microtubules of a cilium or flagellum.
- Example: The centriole migrates to the cell membrane to become the basal body for the primary cilium.
- Centrosome (noun): The major microtubule-organizing center of the cell, which contains a pair of centrioles surrounded by pericentriolar material.
- Microtubule (noun): A cylindrical cytoskeletal structure; centrioles are composed of microtubules.
- Aster (noun): A star-shaped structure of microtubules that forms around each centriole pair during mitosis.
- Cell organelle
- Microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) component
The term centriole has a single, specific meaning in cell biology and does not have other common definitions.
-
one of a pair of small cylindrical cell organelles near the nucleus in animal cells; composed of nine triplet microtubules and form the asters during mitosis
