Centriole Structure and Biological Functions
Structure of the Centriole
In general, all cells have two centrioles located near the nucleus or a notch on the concave side of the Golgi apparatus. The centriole is a cylinder measuring 0.15-0.25 µm wide and 0.3-0.7 µm in length, comprising:
- A peripheral part: 0.04-0.05 µm in thickness, which contains nine groups of three or triplets of microtubules (MT).
- A central part: Usually clear, though it may sometimes contain one or two granules.
- A proximal end: The end closest to the center of the cell.
- A distal end: Directed towards the periphery, which encloses a complex system known as a cartwheel, present only during immature centriole elongation.
Microtubule Triplets and Arrangement
The centriolar wall consists of nine triplets. Each triplet is formed...