Learning Outcomes:
i. Students will describe centrioles and understand their role in cell division.
ii. They will define the cytoskeleton, its composition, types, and functions within the cell.
Summary of Lesson:
Inside every animal cell, there is a framework that provides support, shape, and aids in cell division. This lesson focuses on the centrioles and the cytoskeleton, examining their structures, their types based on function, and the crucial roles they play in cellular processes.
Content:
Centrioles: The Cell Division Architects
i. Centrioles are small, cylindrical structures usually found in pairs within the cell. They are made up of short lengths of microtubules arranged in a circle.
ii. While centrioles are not classified into types, they do have different roles during cell division. They help in forming and organizing the spindle fibers that separate chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis.
Cytoskeleton: The Cellular Scaffolding
i. The cytoskeleton is a dynamic network of fibers that provides structural support to the cell. It's made up of three main types of protein filaments: microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.
ii. Microfilaments, composed of actin, are involved in muscle contraction, cell movement, and cell division.
iii. Intermediate filaments provide mechanical support for the cell and help maintain its shape.
iv. Microtubules, which are long, hollow tubes, give the cell its shape, provide tracks for the movement of organelles, and are crucial in chromosome segregation during cell division.
List of Important Questions for Self-Study:
i. What are centrioles, and how do they function during cell division?
ii. Describe the different components of the cytoskeleton.
iii. How do microfilaments contribute to cell movement?
iv. What role do intermediate filaments play in the cell?
v. How are microtubules involved in maintaining the cell’s shape?
vi. Why are centrioles important for the process of mitosis?
vii. What would happen to a cell if its cytoskeleton was disrupted?
viii. How does the cytoskeleton interact with other organelles within the cell?
ix. Can you think of a situation where the cytoskeleton plays a vital role outside of cell division?
x. How does the cytoskeleton contribute to the overall health of an organism?
Important Terminologies Used in Lesson:
i. Centrioles: Cylindrical structures that play a role in cell division in animal cells.
ii. Cytoskeleton: The network of protein filaments and tubules that provides support, maintains cell shape, and is involved in intracellular transport and cell division.
iii. Microfilaments: The thinnest filaments of the cytoskeleton, made of actin, involved in cell movement and contraction.
iv. Intermediate Filaments: Durable, rope-like systems of the cytoskeleton that provide mechanical support to the cell.
v. Microtubules: Hollow tubes that are part of the cytoskeleton and assist in maintaining the cell's shape and structure, as well as moving cellular components.
