What is a Centriole?
A centriole is a specialized organelle, also called a cell body, which is found in the cells of most animals. Centrioles are roughly tubular in shape, and they play an important role in cell division. These cell structures are so tiny that their details cannot be seen without the assistance of an electron microscope; during cell division, the activity of the centrioles can clearly be seen under an electron microscope. Centrioles are among the many organelles which help a eukaryotic cell to run smoothly. A eukaryotic cell is a complex cell with a number of miniature cellular organs which all serve different functions. A eukaryotic cell also has a cell nucleus and a complex physical structure which sets it aside from prokaryotic cells like those of bacteria. Humans, among other animals, are made from eukaryotic cells, and these cells periodically divide to renew themselves so that their larger hosts can grow and remain healthy. In an animal with centrioles, each cell has a pair of centri