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Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeleton is a network of filaments and tubules that extends throughout the cytoplasm of cells. It consists of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules, which are made of different proteins. The cytoskeleton gives cells their shape, organizes cellular components, aids in cell movement and division, and transports molecules within cells. It functions similarly to a building's frame, providing a structural framework that keeps a cell's structures in place and gives it a definite form.

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385 views4 pages

Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeleton is a network of filaments and tubules that extends throughout the cytoplasm of cells. It consists of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules, which are made of different proteins. The cytoskeleton gives cells their shape, organizes cellular components, aids in cell movement and division, and transports molecules within cells. It functions similarly to a building's frame, providing a structural framework that keeps a cell's structures in place and gives it a definite form.

Uploaded by

harshika tembhurne
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Cytoskeleton

Cytoskeleton Definition
The cytoskeleton is a network of filaments and tubules that extends throughout
a cell, through the cytoplasm, which is all of the material within a cell except for
the nucleus. It is found in all cells, though the proteins that it is made of vary
between organisms. The cytoskeleton supports the cell, gives it shape, organizes
and tethers the organelles, and has roles in molecule transport, cell
division and cell signaling.

Structure of the Cytoskeleton


All cells have a cytoskeleton, but usually the cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells is
what is meant when discussing the cytoskeleton. Eukaryotic cells are complex
cells that have a nucleus and organelles. Plants, animals, fungi, and protists have
eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells are less complex, with no true nucleus or
organelles except ribosomes, and they are found in the single-celled
organisms bacteria and archaea. The cytoskeleton of prokaryotic cells was
originally thought not to exist; it was not discovered until the early 1990s.

The eukaryotic cytoskeleton consists of three types of filaments, which are


elongated chains of proteins: microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and
microtubules.
The microfilaments of this cell are shown in red, while microtubules are shown in
green. The blue dots are nuclei.

Microfilaments

Microfilaments are also called actin filaments because they are mostly composed
of the protein actin; their structure is two strands of actin wound in a spiral.
They are about 7 nanometers thick, making them the thinnest filaments in the
cytoskeleton. Microfilaments have many functions. They aid in cytokinesis, which
is the division of a cytoplasm of a cell when it is dividing into two daughter cells.
They aid in cell motility and allow single-celled organisms like amoebas to move.
They are also involved in cytoplasmic streaming, which is the flowing
of cytosol (the liquid part of the cytoplasm) throughout the cell. Cytoplasmic
streaming transports nutrients and cell organelles. Microfilaments are also part
of muscle cells and allow these cells to contract, along with myosin. Actin and
myosin are the two main components of muscle contractile elements.

Intermediate Filaments
Intermediate filaments are about 8-12 nm wide; they are called intermediate
because they are in-between the size of microfilaments and microtubules.
Intermediate filaments are made of different proteins such as keratin (found in
hair and nails, and also in animals with scales, horns, or hooves), vimentin,
desmin, and lamin. All intermediate filaments are found in the cytoplasm except
for lamins, which are found in the nucleus and help support the nuclear envelope
that surrounds the nucleus. The intermediate filaments in the cytoplasm maintain
the cell’s shape, bear tension, and provide structural support to the cell.

Microtubules

Microtubules are the largest of the cytoskeleton’s fibers at about 23 nm. They
are hollow tubes made of alpha and beta tubulin. Microtubules form structures
like flagella, which are “tails” that propel a cell forward. They are also found in
structures like cilia, which are appendages that increase a cell’s surface area and
in some cases allow the cell to move. Most of the microtubules in an animal
cell come from a cell organelle called the centrosome, which is
a microtubule organizing center (MTOC). The centrosome is found near the
middle of the cell, and microtubules radiate outward from it. Microtubules are
important in forming the spindle apparatus (or mitotic spindle), which
separates sister chromatids so that one copy can go to each daughter cell during
cell division. They are also involved in transporting molecules within the cell and
in the formation of the cell wall in plant cells.

Function of the Cytoskeleton


As described above, the cytoskeleton has several functions. First, it gives the cell
shape. This is especially important in cells without cell walls, such as animal cells,
that do not get their shape from a thick outer layer. It can also give the cell
movement. The microfilaments and microtubules can disassemble, reassemble,
and contract, allowing cells to crawl and migrate, and microtubules help form
structures like cilia and flagella that allow for cell movement.

The cytoskeleton organizes the cell and keeps the cell’s organelles in place, but it
also aids in the movement of organelles throughout the cell. For example,
during endocytosis when a cell engulfs a molecule, microfilaments pull
the vesicle containing the engulfed particles into the cell. Similarly, the
cytoskeleton helps move chromosomes during cell division.

One analogy for the cytoskeleton is the frame of a building. Like a building’s
frame, the cytoskeleton is the “frame” of the cell, keeping structures in place,
providing support, and giving the cell a definite shape.

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