noun
aster
A star-shaped arrangement of fibers that forms during cell division.
The microscope reveals an aster radiating outward during cell division.
Etymology
Greek astēr means star. The cell structure takes its name from its appearance: fibers radiate from a central region, resembling the rays of a star.
More examples
- Fibers in the aster spread around the centrosome.
- The diagram shows two asters at opposite ends of the cell.
- Students identified the star-shaped aster in the dividing cell.
Forms
aster · asters
Similar words
- spindle
- Names the larger division apparatus that organizes chromosome movement.
- centrosome
- Names the organizing structure near an aster's center.