Microtubule Organizing Center
The microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) is a structure found in eukaryotic cells from which microtubules emerge. MTOCs have two main functions: the organization of eukaryotic flagella and cilia and the organization of the mitotic and meiotic spindle apparatus, which separate the chromosomes during cell division. The MTOC is a major site of microtubule nucleation and can be visualized in cells by immunohistochemical detection of γ-tubulin. The morphological characteristics of MTOCs vary between the different phylas and kingdoms. In animals, the two most important types of MTOCs are the basal bodies associated with cilia and the centrosome associated with spindle formation.
Read more about Microtubule Organizing Center: Organization of MTOC in Cells, Interphase MTOC, Centrosomes, Basal Body, Spindle Pole Body, Plant MTOCs, Signal Tranduction
Famous quotes containing the words organizing and/or center:
“When we say science we can either mean any manipulation of the inventive and organizing power of the human intellect: or we can mean such an extremely different thing as the religion of science the vulgarized derivative from this pure activity manipulated by a sort of priestcraft into a great religious and political weapon.”
—Wyndham Lewis (18821957)
“The greatest part of each day, each year, each lifetime is made up of small, seemingly insignificant moments. Those moments may be cooking dinner...relaxing on the porch with your own thoughts after the kids are in bed, playing catch with a child before dinner, speaking out against a distasteful joke, driving to the recycling center with a weeks newspapers. But they are not insignificant, especially when these moments are models for kids.”
—Barbara Coloroso (20th century)