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Glite Dictionary
centrosome

centrosome

1 9.6
A small area near the cell nucleus that organizes tiny tubes used in cell division
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛntrəˌsoʊm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : centrosoma
  • Microtubules are nucleated from centrosomes to create kinetochore fibers.

Examples

  • During cell division, the centrosome organizes the microtubules needed for chromosome separation.

  • We, we just injected centrosomes into frog eggs which were either in interface so we could block the eggs in interface or in mitosis.

  • Higher plants and certain other organisms do not have centrosomes; they rely on microtubules and associated proteins to create a bipolar spindle.

    Academic text (2009)

  • Each centrosome in animal cells contains a pair of centrioles that assist in cell division.

  • The role of the centrosome is crucial for building the spindle apparatus in mitosis.

Synonyms

central body
vscentrosome
  • Specialized
8.1

Small area in a cell near the nucleus that holds centrioles and arranges tiny tubes

is identical in meaning but is an alternative name

Surface Forms

centrosome singular
centrosomes plural

Morphology

centrosome = centro + some (opaque) = centro + some

The term 'centrosome' is specialized and not directly inferable from its parts without specific biological knowledge.

Etymology

Centrosome comes from centro- meaning 'center' and the -some part from Greek soma meaning 'body', like the same root in chromosome. So a centrosome is a 'center body' in the cell that sits near the nucleus and helps organize the tiny tubes used in cell division.