Alberta Written Barber Practice Exam

Which cellular component is primarily responsible for organizing cell division?

1. Cytoplasm

2. Centrioles

3. Endoplasmic reticulum

4. Golgi apparatus

The correct answer is: Centrioles

The component primarily responsible for organizing cell division is the centrioles. These are cylindrical structures found in animal cells that play a crucial role in the process of mitosis and meiosis, which are forms of cell division. Centrioles help in the formation of the spindle fibers that separate chromosomes during cell division, ensuring that each daughter cell receives the correct number of chromosomes. In contrast, the cytoplasm is the gel-like substance where various organelles reside and biochemical processes occur, but it does not have a direct role in organizing cell division. The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the synthesis of proteins and lipids, operating mainly in the production and processing of cellular materials rather than organizing cell division. The Golgi apparatus is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles, also not directly involved in the mechanical aspects of cell division. Understanding the specific functions of these cellular components highlights why centrioles are uniquely suited for the task of organizing cell division.