CENTROSOMES

 CENTROSOMES

·     Centrosome located near the Nucleus, consists of two components: (i) Pericentriolar area and (ii) Centrioles.

·   The Pericentriolar material is a region of the Cytosol composed of a dense network of small protein fibers. This area is the organizing center for the mitotic spindle, which plays a critical role in Cell division, and for Microtubule formation in nondividing cells.

·   Within the Pericentriolar material is a pair of cylindrical structures called Centrioles, each of which is composed of nine clusters of three microtubules (triplets) arranged in a circular pattern.

Functions of Centrosomes

·       Helps in Eukaryotic cell division.

·       Maintain the Chromosome number during Cell division.

·       Stimulate the changes in the shape of the Cell membrane by Phagocytosis

• In mitosis, it helps in organizing the microtubules ensuring that the Centrosomes are distributed to each daughter cell.
•   Regulate the movement of microtubules and Cytoskeletal structures, thereby, facilitating changes in the shapes of the membranes of the animal cell.