centriole
/ˈsɛntriˌoʊl/
noun
- A small, cylindrical organelle in animal cells that helps organize the spindle fibers during cell division.
- Each animal cell usually contains two centrioles located near the nucleus.
- During mitosis, the centriole moves to opposite ends of the cell to help pull chromosomes apart.
- Scientists study the centriole to understand how cells divide and replicate.