What is the main function of centrioles in animal cells?

The primary function of centrioles in animal cells is indeed the production of spindle fibers during cell division. Centrioles are cylindrical structures made up of microtubules, and they play a crucial role during mitosis and meiosis. When a cell is about to divide, the centrioles replicate, and each pair of centrioles moves to opposite poles of the cell. During this process, they help in organizing the spindle apparatus, which is essential for the proper segregation of chromosomes. The spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of chromosomes and ensure that each daughter cell receives an equal number of chromosomes.

This function is critical because any errors in spindle fiber formation or attachment can lead to unequal distribution of chromosomes, potentially resulting in aneuploidy or other cellular issues. Other options, such as the formation of the nuclear envelope, synthesis of ribosomal RNA, or regulation of cell metabolism, are carried out by different cellular structures and processes, not by centrioles. Thus, the centriole’s role is specifically geared towards facilitating cell division through the production and organization of spindle fibers.