The Cytoskeleton Flashcards
Where is the cytoskeleton present
The cytoskeleton is present throughout the cytoplasm of all eukaryotic cells.
What is the cytoskeleton
It is a network of fibres necessary for the shape and stability of a cell. Organelles are held in place by the cytoskeleton and it controls cell movement and the movement of organelles within a cell.
What are microfilaments (first component)
They are contractile fibres formed from the protein actin. These are responsible for cell movement and also cell contraction during cytokinesis, the process in which the cytoplasm of a single eukaryotic cell is divided to form two daughter cells.
What are microtubules (second component)
globular tubulin proteins polymerise to form tubes that are used to form a scaffold-like structure that determines the shape of a cell. They also act as tracks for the movement of organelles, including vesicles, around the cell. Spindle fibres, which have a role in the physical segregation of chromosomes in cell division, are composed of microtubules.
What are intermediate fibres
These fibres give mechanical strength to cells and help maintain their integrity.
