Cytoskeleton & Cell Adhesion Flashcards
How thick are microfilaments?
7nm
How thick are intermediate filaments?
10nm
What is the diameter of a microtubule?
25nm
What can microfilaments also be called? (2)
Actin filaments
F-actin
What are the subunits of microfilaments?
G-actin
What percentage of the total protein of the cell is comprised of microfilaments?
5%
How many subunits per complete turn of the microfilaments helix?
13 G-actin
What is the structure of a microfilament?
Polarised double helix
How long is one complete turn of the microfilament helix?
37nm
Why do microfilaments display polarity?
G-actin monomers are asymmetrical
What molecule is required for the growth of microfilaments?
ATP
On what end does microfilament growth/shortening occur fastest?
Plus end
What are the major functions of microfilaments? (3)
Mechanical support
Cell shape changes and maintenance
Cell motility
What do actin-sequestering proteins do?
Bind to G-actin to prevent polymerisation
What do capping proteins do?
Bind to ends of actin filaments to prevent growth (stabilisation)
What do motor proteins do?
Allow movement
What do cross-linking proteins do?
Hold actin cell cortex together
What kind of intermediate filaments are found in epithelia?
Keratin
What kind of intermediate filaments are found in neurons?
Neurofilamin/neurofilaments
What kind of intermediate filaments are found in nuclei?
Lamins