Centrioles - like cilia and flangella??

[Thenewguy]

Hi folks,

I know this isnt the most captivating or even rewarding subject but this page, I gather, is about sharing information so here goes. Right now reading a text book about general biology, basically one of those "start to finish" texts. Right now in the cellular biology section I'm learning more extensively about the centrioles and their role in the body. Now while I fully understand the most basic premis of their function in the division of nuclear material in animal cells what I don't get is the books refference to a similarity between the structure of flangella or cilia and the centriole. Appearantly it has 9 triplets instead of doublets around the outside and lacking the two central fibers. What confuses me is that I thought cilia (like that of Tetrahymeria Pyriformis) did in fact have 9 triplet fibers on the outside??? Is Tetrahymeria Pyriformis an odity in this example?

[thank.darwin]

Well first of all centrioles give rise to basal bodies, which are microtubule organizing centers for the formation of cilia and flagella. Also centrioles have a 9+0 pattern of microtubules and flagella has a basal body with a 9+0 pattern and also has a shaft of 9+2 pattern. My only question is whether or not cilia have the same pattern as flagella?

[Thenewguy]

I think I'm way over my head on this one

[mith]

My only question is whether or not cilia have the same pattern as flagella?

I think they do. I remember from my bio books about how they are all derived from the same homologous structure.

P.S. Newguy, your book might have a typo.

[thank.darwin]

Thats what I thought because they both come from basal bodies

As for you - thenewguy; don't worry about the specifics of things like that unless you need to - Why are you reading that book; school, for fun, ?

[Thenewguy]

well I guess for fun. when I was 20 I was diagnosed with brain cancer (ring cancer) and over the past four years I've whitnessed some really amazing treatment initiatives through a trial program I enrolled in (La Jolla, CA) I'm from Canada. So over the past few years I've really come to appreciate biology. And I soak this stuff up like dry bread in spilt milk So i thought, if I enjoy it, what the hell. Its a bit "geeky" but I'm starting to see the body like a bunch of 1s and 0s in an atomic world.

You're right though, there must be a mistake in the bood because others have illustrated like opinions. Thanks alot

[thank.darwin]

I'm glad that you're into biology- it really is alot of fun so keep at it!