Final answer:
Centrioles are cylindrical organelles that play supportive roles in cell division by helping to organize spindle fibers and segregate chromosomes. They form the centrosome, which is involved in microtubule organization. Although not solely responsible for cell division, they contribute to structural organization and genetic fidelity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Centrioles are cylindrical organelles found near the nucleus in animal cells, mainly composed of a protein called tubulin and structured as nine groups of microtubules arranged in a ring. These structures are crucial during cell division, particularly in the process of mitosis, where they assist in forming and organizing spindle fibers that segregate chromosomes into daughter cells. Moreover, centrioles are involved in maintaining the cell's structure by radiating microtubules throughout the cell.
Although the precise function of centrioles in cellular division is not fully understood, they are known to replicate themselves before a cell divides and appear to help in pulling duplicated chromosomes to opposite ends of the cell. One notable distinction is that plant cells, which do not have centrioles, can still divide, indicating that centrioles might have more supportive roles in cellular mechanisms.
Centrioles also form the centrosome, a region that serves as the microtubule-organizing center in animal cells, containing a pair of centrioles that lie perpendicular to each other. The centrosome organizes the microtubules that are essential for cell shape, motility, and intracellular transport. Therefore, while centrioles are not solely responsible for cell division, their presence and activity support the structural organization and genetic fidelity during this critical process.