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biochemistry > cytoskeleton > Flashcards

cytoskeleton Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three main components of the cytoskeleton?

A

Microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments

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2
Q

What is the primary building block of microtubules?

A

tubular dimers

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3
Q

What is the primary building block of actin filaments?

A

Globular actin (G-actin)

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4
Q

How are microtubules assembled?

A

They assemble from tubulin dimers into protofilaments that form a hollow tube, with assembly primarily at the plus end.

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5
Q

How are actin filaments assembled?

A

They assemble from G-actin monomers into a twisted double helix structure, with growth mainly at the barbed (plus) end.

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6
Q

How are intermediate filaments assembled?

A

They form from staggered tetramer units that assemble into rope-like filaments, providing structural support

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7
Q

What regulates the assembly of microtubules?

A

Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and GTP binding/hydrolysis.

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8
Q

What regulates the assembly of actin filaments?

A

actin binding proteins and ATP binding/hydrolysis

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9
Q

What regulates the assembly of intermediate filaments?

A

phosphorylation state and specific binding proteins

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10
Q

What are the similarities among the three cytoskeleton components?

A

structural support
ability to move and be stable

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11
Q

How do the cytoskeleton components differ in structure?

A

microtubules = hollow tubes
actin filaments = double helix
intermediate filament = rope like structure

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12
Q

Which cytoskeleton component has the highest tensile strength?

A

intermediate filament

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13
Q

What role do microtubules play in cells?

A

They provide structural support, form tracks for intracellular transport, and are essential for cell division by forming the mitotic spindle.

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14
Q

What role do actin filaments play in cells?

A

They support cell shape, enable cell movement, and are involved in muscle contraction, cell division, and intracellular transport.

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15
Q

What role do intermediate filaments play in cells?

A

They provide tensile strength, maintain cell shape, and anchor organelles, helping cells withstand mechanical stress

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16
Q

How do microtubules contribute to tissue structure?

A

They help organize cells within tissues and facilitate communication between cells via intracellular transport pathways

17
Q

How do actin filaments contribute to tissue structure?

A

They support the cell cortex, aiding in cell adhesion and migration, which is critical for wound healing and tissue formation

18
Q

What are non-cellular components of tissues?

A

The extracellular matrix (ECM), which includes proteins like collagen, elastin, and fibronectin, as well as polysaccharides and signaling molecules.

19
Q

What is the extracellular matrix (ECM)?

A

A network of proteins and polysaccharides outside cells that provides structural support and regulates cell behavior in tissues.

20
Q

How do cells interact with the extracellular matrix?

A

Through integrins and other cell surface receptors, allowing them to attach, sense, and respond to ECM signals.

21
Q

What role does collagen play in tissues?

A

Collagen provides tensile strength and structural integrity in connective tissues like skin, tendons, and bones.

22
Q

What role does elastin play in tissues?

A

Elastin gives tissues elasticity, allowing them to stretch and recoil, which is crucial for skin, lungs, and blood vessels.

23
Q

How do cells assemble into tissues?

A

cells adhere to each other

24
Q

What are cell junctions?

A

Structures that connect cells to each other, including tight junctions, gap junctions, and desmosomes, which help maintain tissue integrity

25
Q

How do tight junctions function in tissues?

A

They seal neighboring cells together to prevent leakage of molecules between cells, crucial for barrier tissues like the skin and intestines.

26
Q

How do gap junctions function in tissues?

A

They allow direct communication between adjacent cells by enabling the passage of ions and small molecules.

27
Q

How do cells attach to the extracellular matrix (ECM)?

A

through cell surface receptors like integrins that bind to ECM proteins such as collagen, fibronectin, and laminin.

28
Q

What are integrins?

A

Transmembrane receptors that connect the ECM to the cytoskeleton and mediate cell-ECM adhesion and signaling.

29
Q

How does integrin binding to the ECM affect cell behavior?

A

It triggers signaling pathways that influence cell survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation

30
Q

What is focal adhesion?

A

A complex of integrins and intracellular proteins that anchors cells to the ECM and transmits signals to the cell interior

31
Q

How does ECM stiffness affect cell signaling?

A

Stiffer ECMs can enhance integrin activation, promoting signaling pathways linked to cell growth and differentiation, important in tissues like bone

32
Q

How does ECM composition influence cell signaling?

A

different ECM proteins bind to specific integrins leading to varied signals

33
Q

What role does ECM remodeling play in signaling?

A

ECM remodeling alters cell attachment sites and can activate integrins, modifying signaling pathways and cellular responses

34
Q

How do integrins activate intracellular signaling pathways?

A

By clustering and recruiting signaling proteins at focal adhesions, activating pathways like MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and Rho GTPases

35
Q

What is the role of Rho GTPases in ECM signaling?

A

Rho GTPases regulate actin cytoskeleton dynamics in response to ECM attachment, influencing cell shape, movement, and tension

36
Q

How does cell detachment from the ECM affect signaling?

A

can trigger apoptosis

37
Q

What is mechanotransduction in the context of cell-ECM interaction?

A

The process by which cells sense mechanical properties of the ECM through integrins, converting these signals into biochemical responses.

38
Q

How do focal adhesions contribute to mechanotransduction?

A

They sense ECM stiffness and transmit mechanical forces to the cell, influencing cytoskeletal tension and signaling pathways

biochemistry (9 decks)

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