CENTRIOLES

A B I O L O G Y G R O U P P R E S E N TAT I O N

WHAT IS A
CENT RIO LE?
Composition: Mainly of a
protein, tubulin
Shape: A cylindrical cell
structure
Structure: Most are made
up of nine sets of microtubule
triplets, arranged in a
cylinder, arranged
perpendicular to one another.
An associated pair of
centrioles, surrounded by a
cloud of protein material,
called the pericentriolar
material (PCM) makes up a
compound structure called a
centrosome

CENTROSOME (MICROTUBULE ORGANIZING CENTER)

Location: At a distinct region near the
nucleus
Description: Has a pair of centrioles
orientated at 90 to each other. Area
where microtubules are produced
Components of a typical centrosome:
1. Centriole
2. Mother centriole
3. Daughter centriole
4. Distal ends
5. Distal appendages
6. Subdistal appendages
7. Proximal ends
8. Microtubule triplets
9. Interconnecting fibers
10. Microtubules
11. Pericentriolar material (PCM)

MICROTUBULES
Characteristics:
Diameter of 25 nm, Length (200 nm ~ 25 mm)
9x3 or 9+0 pattern (one complete microtubule fused with two incomplete
microtubules) when forming centrioles
Helically arranged subunits of globular protein called tubulin
Functions:
Microtubules serve as structural components within cells and are involved in many
cellular processes including mitosis, cytokinesis, and vesicular transport
Microtubules are one of the components of the cytoskeleton

W H AT I S T H E D I F F E R E N C E ?

CENTRIOLE

C E NT R O S OM E

CYTOSKELETON
W H AT I S I T A B O U T ?

CYTOSKELETON
Structure: Complex network of
interlinking filaments and tubules that
extend throughout the cytoplasm (from
the nucleus to the plasma membrane)
Composition:
Microtubules
Microfilament
Intermediate filaments

Function: Determines the shape of cell,

provide mechanical support, cell
movement

MICROFILAMENT (ACTIN FILAMENTS)

Description:
Built from molecules of actin, a globular protein
Twisted double chain of G-actin subunits and is present in all eukaryotic cells
Actin filaments are assembled in two general types of structures: bundles and networks (based on
actin-binding proteins), actin filament assembly

ACTION
OF
ACTIN-BINDING
PROTEINS
SECOND
STAGE
ACTIN
FILAMENT
ASSEMBLY
FIRST
STAGE
OFOF
ACTIN
FILAMENT
ASSEMBLY

As F-actin
G-actin/ ATPAddition
of
more
Length of
elongat
grows,
Subunits
Associate with
actin
subunits
each
filament
(+) Endto
of
actin
Concentration
of
G-actin
are
in equilibrium
with
(3-4
actin monomer
binds
es
byto Oligomers
PROFILI
concentration
of of
continue being
(+) end
At steady
state forms monomers
monomers
end
of
remains
monomer
actin
filaments
subunits)
the
N
G-actin
added at
filament
polymerize
filaments poles
constant
decreases
known as

Elongates 5 ~
10 times faster
than (-) end

Stable seed or
Subunits
ATP-binding
end,
nucleus
at (-)
(-)dissociate
end is free
end
THIRD STAGE OF ACTIN FILAMENT ASSEMBLY

known as

travel
through
filament

G actin
No net change in
Difference
in
breaks
down
Achieve
monomers
COFILIN
total mass of
elongation?
steady state
exchange with
filaments
subunits at
How?
filament ends
WHAT IS CRITICAL CONCENTRATION,
Bonding to the
Cc ?
(+)
ends of
Different value of critical
concentration,
Cc monomers

Complex binds
Treadmilling
together

Conc. of
unassembl
ed
subunits

Critical
concentration

Profilin
dissociates from
actin

MICROFILAMENT (ACTIN FILAMENTS)

Location: Can be seen in the cytosol
inside the plasma membrane
Functions:
Actin filaments cross-linked with one
another and with other proteins to form
bundles of fibres which provide
mechanical support for various cell
structures
Bear tension (pulling force)
In muscle cells, actin is associated with
myosin that produce forces involving in
muscle contraction
Actin-myosin interactions causes
cytoplasmic streaming, of which a
layer of cytoplasm cycles around the cell,
moving over a carpet of parallel actin
filaments

CYTOPLASMIC STREAMING
Cytoplasmic streaming (protoplasmic streaming/cyclosis), is the directed
flow of cytosol (the liquid component of the cytoplasm) and organelles
Occurs as myosin-coated organelles move along actin filaments in the
cytoskeleton of the cell, also causing the cytosol to move
Myosin proteins use energy of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to act as a
molecular motor, which slides along actin filaments. This works in a
manner that tows the organelles and other cytoplasmic contents in the
same direction
In plant cells, chloroplasts move around with the stream to a position of
optimum light absorption for photosynthesis

INTERMEDIATE
FILAMENTS
Description:
Tough fibres
Diameter of 8 ~10 nm, intermediate between
actin filaments (7nm) and microtubules (25nm)
Protein composition and size varies among
different types of cells and different organisms
Functions:
Strengthen the cytoskeleton and stabilise cell
shape
Formation of sheath (nuclear lamina), inside the
nuclear envelope which times the
disorganisation and reorganisation of the
nucleus during cell division

WHAT ARE THE

ROLES OF
CENTRIOLES?
PA I R E D O R S I N G L E ?

PAIRED
CELL DIVISION (MITOSIS)
BEFORE
Centrioles are found near the nucleus
Only a condensed and darker area of the cytoplasm called
the centrosome will be seen when the cell is not dividing

PAIRED
CELL DIVISION (MITOSIS IN ANIMALS)
DURING
The centrosome divides and the centrioles replicate. The result is two centrosomes, each centriole pair
migrates to each pole on the outside of the nuclear membrane
Microtubules are produced at the outer edge of the pericentriolar material and grow out in a radial form
The centriole pair and PCM is called an aster
Microtubules from the aster at one pole grow towards the aster at the opposite pole
These microtubules are called spindle fibres
Some of these will become attached by centromeres to chromosomes lined up on the equator of the
dividing cell
Others (not attached to chromatids/chromosomes by centromeres) will assist in pushing apart the two
parts of the dividing cell.

SINGLE/ BASAL BODY

FORMATION OF CILIA
OR FLAGELLA
A basal body is a protein structure
found at the base of eukaryotic
cilium or flagellum, formed from
a centriole
Centrioles are surrounded by a
densely staining material (PCM),
this is where most of the
microtubules arise from in a linear
direction
These microtubules form mostly the
inside of cilia or flagella are largely
responsible for their movement,
using protein motors
Arrangement is 9+2, nine attached
pairs of microtubules with two
unpaired microtubules in the centre

THANK YOU!
A B I O L O G Y G R O U P P R E S E N TAT I O N