spindle

spindle

spindle A structure formed from microtubules in the cytoplasm during cell division that moves chromatids (see mitosis) or chromosomes (see meiosis) diametrically apart and gathers them in two clusters at opposite ends (poles) of the cell. Broad in the middle and narrowing to a point at either pole, its construction is directed by a microtubule-organizing centre, the centrosome. In the preliminary stages of cell division the centrosome divides, and the two daughter centrosomes move to opposite poles. Each organizes three sets of microtubules (or ‘spindle fibres’): the first set consists of a tuft of fibres, called the aster, radiating towards the cell periphery; the second set extends towards the centre of the cell to attach to chromatids or chromosomes; the third set also extends through the centre to overlap with its counterpart from the opposite pole at the spindle equator, the region halfway between the poles. The spindle becomes fully formed by metaphase, when the chromatids are attached to spindle fibres via their centromeres and lie at the spindle equator. During anaphase this set of fibres shortens and hauls the attached chromatids towards the corresponding pole of the cell. Also, the overlapping fibres at the equator actively engage and slide past each other to elongate the entire spindle. See also muscle spindle.

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"spindle." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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spindle

spin·dle / ˈspindl/ • n. 1. a slender rounded rod with tapered ends used in hand spinning to twist and wind thread from a mass of wool or flax held on a distaff. ∎  a pin or rod used on a spinning wheel to twist and wind the thread. ∎  a pin bearing the bobbin of a spinning machine. ∎  a pointed metal rod on a base, used to impale paper items for temporary filing. ∎  a turned piece of wood used as a banister or chair leg. 2. a rod or pin serving as an axis that revolves or on which something revolves. ∎  the vertical rod at the center of a record turntable that keeps the record in place during play. 3. Biol. a slender mass of microtubules formed when a cell divides. At metaphase, the chromosomes become attached to it by their centromeres before being pulled toward its ends. 4. (also spindle tree) a shrub or small tree (genus Euonymus, family Celastraceae) with slender toothed leaves and pink capsules containing bright orange seeds. The hard timber was formerly used for making spindles. • v. [tr.] impale (a piece of paper) on a metal spindle for temporary filing purposes: do not fold, spindle, or mutilate.

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"spindle." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"spindle." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-spindle.html

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spindle

spindle The set of microtubular fibres that appear to move the chromosomes of eukaryotes during cell division. The spindle is formed only at mitosis or meiosis, appearing at metaphase and first arranging the chromosomes at its equator. Movement apart of chromatids then occurs during anaphase, probably as a result of the spindle fibres, which run from the centromere (spindle attachment) to the spindle pole and from pole to pole, sliding past one another in a ratchetlike manner, similar to the way muscle filaments slide past each other (see SLIDING-FILAMENT THEORY).

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "spindle." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "spindle." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-spindle.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "spindle." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-spindle.html

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spindle

spindle The set of microtubular fibres that appear to move the chromosomes of eukaryotes during cell division. The spindle is formed only at mitosis or meiosis, appearing at metaphase and first arranging the chromosomes at its equator. Movement apart of chromatids then occurs during anaphase, probably as a result of contraction of the fibres that run from the centromere (spindle attachment) to the spindle pole, and from pole to pole.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "spindle." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "spindle." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-spindle.html

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spindle

spindle slender rod serving to twist and wind thread in spinning OE.; rod serving as an axis XIV. OE. spinel, corr. to OS. spinnila, (M)Du. spindel, OHG. spin(n)ila, -ala (G. spindel), f. *spin- SPIN; see -LE1.

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T. F. HOAD. "spindle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "spindle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-spindle.html

T. F. HOAD. "spindle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-spindle.html

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spindle

spindle (spin-d'l) n. a collection of fibres seen in a cell when it is dividing. It plays an important part in chromosome movement in mitosis and meiosis and is also involved in division of the cytoplasm.

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"spindle." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"spindle." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-spindle.html

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spindle

spindle see spinning .

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"spindle." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"spindle." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-spindle.html

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spindle

spindleaddle, paddle, saddle, skedaddle, staddle, straddle •candle, Coromandel, dandle, Handel, handle, mishandle, Randall, sandal, scandal, vandal •manhandle, panhandle •packsaddle • side-saddle •backpedal, heddle, medal, meddle, pedal, peddle, treadle •Grendel, Kendall, Lendl, Mendel, Rendell, sendal, Wendell •cradle, ladle •beadle, bipedal, credal, needle, wheedle •diddle, fiddle, griddle, kiddle, Liddell, middle, piddle, riddle, twiddle •brindle, dwindle, kindle, spindle, swindle, Tyndale •paradiddle, taradiddle •pyramidal • apsidal •bridal, bridle, fratricidal, genocidal, germicidal, homicidal, idle, idol, infanticidal, insecticidal, intertidal, matricidal, parricidal, patricidal, pesticidal, regicidal, sidle, suicidal, tidal, tyrannicidal, uxoricidal •coddle, doddle, model, noddle, swaddle, toddle, twaddle, waddle •fondle, rondel •mollycoddle •caudal, chordal, dawdle •poundal, roundel •Gödel, modal, yodel •crinoidal •boodle, caboodle, canoodle, doodle, feudal, noodle, poodle, strudel, udal •befuddle, cuddle, fuddle, huddle, muddle, puddle, ruddle •bundle, trundle •prebendal • synodal •antipodal, tripodal •citadel •curdle, engirdle, girdle, hurdle •dirndl

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"spindle." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Dual-spindles shave production time.
Magazine article from: Tooling &amp; Production; 7/1/1998
Spindle failure happens: will you be ready when your spindle goes...
Magazine article from: Tooling &amp; Production; 5/1/2005
Spindle repair simplified.(RAPID TRAVERSE: Machining Technology in Brief)
Magazine article from: Modern Machine Shop; 4/1/2009

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