The centrosome consists of two centrioles, each comprising nine microtubule triplets that form a barrel-shaped structure that is approximately 0.5 m long and 0.2 m in diameter.
In eukaryotic cells, centrioles and their structural equivalents, basal bodies, play essential roles. They are needed for the assembly of flagella or cilia as well as for cell division. Genes for two new members of the tubulin superfamily are needed for basal body/centriole duplication.
Animal model
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii provides an excellent model organism for the study of the basal body and centrioles.
See also
References
Badano JL, Teslovich TM, Katsanis N. The centrosome in human genetic disease. Nat Rev Genet. 2005 Mar;6(3):194-205. PMID: 15738963
Dutcher SK. Elucidation of basal body and centriole functions in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Traffic. 2003 Jul;4(7):443-51. PMID: 12795689
