Question

Axonemal arrangement of microtubules is

• A. 6 peripheral pairs of doublets and one central pair of singlets
• B. 6 peripheral pairs of doublets and one central singlet
• C. 9 peripheral pairs of doublets and one central pair of singlets
• D. 9 peripheral pairs of doublets and one central singlet.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

9 peripheral pairs of doublets and one central pair of singlets

The core of cilium or flagellum is called axoneme which possesses a number of microtubules running parallel to the long axis. The axoneme usually has nine pairs of doublets of radially arranged peripheral microtubules and a pair of centrally located microtubules. Such an arrangement of axonemal microtubules is referred to as the 9 + 2 array.

So the correct answer is option C.