kinetochore

views updated May 11 2018

kinetochore A dense, plaque-like area of the centromere region of a chromatid, to which the microtubules of the spindle attach during cell division.

kinetochore

views updated Jun 11 2018

kinetochore A dense, plaque-like area of the centromere region of a chromatid to which the microtubules of the spindle attach during cell division.

kinetochore

views updated May 23 2018

kinetochore A platelike structure by which the microtubules of the spindle attach to the centromere of a chromosome during nuclear division. In higher organisms it consists of protein and RNA arranged in three layers closely apposed to the chromatin. It acts as a motor, pulling the centromere along the attached microtubules towards the spindle pole. This process is thought to involve motor proteins, such as dynein, and disassembly of the microtubule subunits.

kinetochore

views updated May 29 2018

kinetochore (ky-nee-toh-kor) n. see centromere.