Cytoskeleton Flashcards
Whats a cytoskeleton?
A network of protein micro filaments and micro tubules that run through the cytoplasm
What are microfilaments?
Strands of proteins (actin)that act as tracks for things to move along in the cell
What are microtubules?
Hollow protein tubes (like centrioles)
Draw a cytoskeleton
physical notes
Give features of microfilaments
- known as actin filaments
- made of protein actin
- finer / thinner than microtubules
- give all shape and resist tension
- anchor organelles
- involved in cell movement, contraction and cell shape changes
- play a role in cellular processes like cytokinesis (cell division), cell adhesion and cell signalling
What are features of microtubules?
- tube = hollow
- made of protein tubulin
- larger than microfilaments
- similar to centrioles (9+2 arrangement)
- more organelles
- resist compression
- provides structural support to cell
- tracks for intracellular transport
- allows movement of organelles, vesicles and other cellular components
- plays crucial role in cell division by forming the mitotic spindle, which helps segregate chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis
What are the functions of cytoskeleton?
- structure support to give (animal) cells their shape
- helps organelles into position
- moves components within the cell eg separating of chromosomes during cell division or exocytosis / cytokinesis (division of cytoplasm)
- maintaining cell shape
- provides structural support
- processes such a cell division, cell movement and intracellular transport
What are the three types of fibre in a cytoskeleton ?
- microfilaments
- intermediate filaments
- microtubules
What does it mean when you say that the cytoskeleton is a dynamic network?
Moving / Changing
State how the cytoskeleton moves organelles around the cell
Using microtubules / tubulin / motor proteins
Give the functions of intermediate filaments
- larger diameter than microfilaments but smaller than microtubules
- they are composed of various proteins ie keratins, laminated and vimentin
- they provide mechanical strength, support to cells, anchoring cellular organelles and maintaining cell integrity