CB19 Cell Cytoskeleton Flashcards
1
Q
What are the three major protein filaments of the cytoskeleton?
A
Actin filaments
Intermediate filaments
Microtubules
2
Q
What is the cytoskeleton?
A
A network of protein filaments extending throughout the cytoplasm
Helps to support the large volume of cytoplasm in the cell
Helps convey cell shape
Highly dynamic; continuously reorganised
3
Q
Describe intermediate filaments
A
- Strong & rope like
- tensile strength to withstand mechanical stress
- form network through cytoplasm
- anchored to plasma at cell junctions (such as desmosomes)
- regulated by phosphorylation
4
Q
Describe microtubles
A
- Crucial organising role in eukaryotic cells
- long, straight, rid, hollow cylinders
- made of tubulin
- can rapidly disassemble & reassemble
- grow out of a microtubule organising centre (MTOC)
5
Q
Describe actin filaments
A
- flexible & thin
- two stranded helical filaments of actin
- present in all eukaryotic cells
-Unstable
6
Q
How does muscle contraction work
A
Myosin ll
- head interacts with actin filaments
- moves along filament in a cycle of binding, detachment, rebinding
- head walks towards the positive end
