WHAT ORGANELLE WILL BE USED DURING CELLULAR REPRODUCTION TO HELP ANCHOR THE SPINDLE FIBERS?
During cellular reproduction, the organelle that helps anchor the spindle fibers is called the centrosome. The centrosome is a small structure found near the nucleus of animal cells, made up of two centrioles. Centrosomes play a vital role in mitosis, which is the process by which a cell duplicates its genetic material and divides into two daughter cells.
To understand how the centrosome assists in anchoring the spindle fibers, let's first go through the process of mitosis briefly:
1. Prophase: The first stage of mitosis, during which the genetic material condenses into visible chromosomes. The centrosomes move to opposite poles of the cell, and the spindle fibers start to form.
2. Prometaphase: The nuclear envelope breaks down, and the spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes.
3. Metaphase: The chromosomes align along the equator of the cell. The spindle fibers, attached to the centromeres, help move and position the chromosomes during this stage.
4. Anaphase: The spindle fibers shorten, separating the sister chromatids of each chromosome and pulling them toward opposite poles of the cell.
5. Telophase: The chromosomes reach the cell poles, and the spindle fibers disassemble. The cell starts to prepare for division.
Now, coming back to your question, during prophase, the centrosomes move to opposite poles of the cell. This movement is facilitated by the microtubules present within the centrosomes. As the centrosomes migrate, they help anchor the spindle fibers, which are made up of microtubules, to specific sites on the chromosomes called centromeres.
So, to answer your question, the organelle used during cellular reproduction to help anchor the spindle fibers is the centrosome.