The image above shows the picture of a centriole. The function of this structure takes place during the very last stage of cell division, called cytokinesis. When the cell is preparing to split into two cells, both of the two cells need to have the same amount of its cytoplasm.

This is a very important step and the cell cannot survive without the proper amount of cytoplasm. That is when these centrioles go to work! They are responsible for pulling the chromosomes evenly so both new cells have enough. This process is how both cells have the proper amount of chromosomes during the split.

The structure circled and labeled A is called a centriole. This structure is used during cell division, and it’s really cool. It is used during the very last stage, called cytokinesis. This is when the cell is getting ready to divide and it needs to evenly split its cytoplasm. The centrioles go to either end of the cell, as they are shown here, and just pull the chromosomes into the proper sides of the cell. This ensures that, when the cell membrane divides the cell, both cells have the correct number of chromosomes.

The centrioles only appear when they are needed. Otherwise, they stay out of the way of the daily operations of a cell. They just make sure the cell has the right number of chromosomes before the cell membrane splits the cells into two.