What structure forms the internal framework of centrioles?

Prepare for the ACC Biology Accuplacer Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations, ensuring you're exam-ready!

The internal framework of centrioles is composed of microtubules, which are structural components of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells. Microtubules are hollow tubes made of tubulin protein subunits, and they play vital roles in maintaining cell shape, enabling cell motility through cilia and flagella, and facilitating intracellular transport and cell division.

In the specific case of centrioles, they are arranged in a characteristic "9+0" pattern, consisting of nine triplet microtubules. This structure is crucial for the proper functioning of centrioles during cell division, as they help organize the mitotic spindle, which separates chromosomes into daughter cells.

Other options, such as the nuclear envelope, intermediate filaments, and chromatin, do not provide the structural framework for centrioles. The nuclear envelope encases the nucleus and separates its contents from the cytoplasm, intermediate filaments provide mechanical support and tensile strength to cells, and chromatin is the complex of DNA and proteins within the nucleus that condenses to form chromosomes during cell division. In contrast, it is the microtubules that give centrioles their distinctive shape and functional capability.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy