key term - Centrosome

Definition

The centrosome is an organelle near the nucleus in animal cells, functioning as the main microtubule organizing center and playing a crucial role in cell division and spindle formation. It contains a pair of centrioles, surrounded by pericentriolar material, that helps coordinate the assembly and disassembly of microtubules.

Related terms

Microtubule: Cylindrical structures made of tubulin proteins that provide structural support and play roles in intracellular transport and cell division.

Spindle fibers: A network of microtubules that forms between the opposite poles of a dividing cell, helping to separate chromosomes during cell division.

Cell division: A process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells, essential for growth, reproduction, and repair in organisms