BIO202 EXAM 2 Flashcards
(144 cards)
What is the cytoskeleton?
A network of filaments and tubules that
- Provides mechanical support to the cell and maintains its shape.
- Provides the cell with mobility
- Mediates the movement of organelles and individual molecules (Within the cell)
- Regulates biochemical activities of the cell by transmitting mechanical forces.
What are microtubules?
They are hollow tubes made of the globular protein tubulin. Their walls are made up of alpha-beta polymer chains.
How are the walls of microtubules formed?
Alpha-subunits and beta-subunits polymerize into alpha-beta dimers. Those dimers then polymerize into chains that form the walls.
How do microtubules grow?
By adding alpha and beta subunits to their ends
Functions of microtubules
To Maintain the shape of the cell by resisting compression, movement of the cell, and movement of organelles. Also, the movement of chromosomes.
How does the cytoskeleton move the cell?
Not by contracting and extending but by assembly and disassembly.
Centrosomes
In animal cells, microtubules often grow from structures called centrosomes, which are made of 2 centrioles. When cells divide, the centrioles divide too. Plant cells do not have centrioles.
Cilia
Locomotive organs formed by a special arrangement of microtubules. They occur in large numbers on the cell surface. They move back and forth like an oar stroke.
Flagella
Locomotive organs formed by a special arrangement of microtubules. There’s usually a single flagellum per cell. It is the same diameter as cilium but is much longer.
Function of the basal body
anchors cilia or flagella to the cell
The core of cilia and flagella
Consists of 9 doublets of microtubules arranged in a circle, and 2 single microtubules in the center= 9+2 structure
function of dynein arms
connect the 9 doublets of microtubules
radial spokes
connects each doublet to the two central microtubules
Structure of the basal body
Has a structure identical to a centriole
Dynein-mediated movement
The dynein arms of one doublet attached to a neighboring doublet. The pull and the doublets move in opposite directions. They detach then reattach at a higher position to continue the movement.
how to cilia and flagella move?
Dynein mediated movement.
Microfilaments
2 intertwined strands of protein called actin. Polymers of globular monomers of actin.
Functions of microfilaments
They maintain the cell shape by resisting tension. Provide motility in cell division, muscle contraction, and cytoplasmic streaming.
What happens to microfilaments when muscles contract?
In muscles, actin filaments are arranged parallel to myosin filaments. When actin and myosin filaments pass each other, the cell becomes shorter.
How does the presence of microfilaments affect the cytoplasm?
It makes the cytoplasm more “rigid” -> a gel state. Less microfilaments results in the sol state. The gel state/sol state transition takes place due to actin myosin interactions. This causes cytoplasmic streaming (mainly in plants)
cytoplasmic streaming
The circular motion of cytoplasm within large cells to help distribute materials inside of the cell
Microvilli
Microfilaments are found in the center of microvilli. They are cellular projections (often on the surfaces of intestinal cells) that increase surface area to help absorb material from outside the cell
Intermediate filaments
The intermediate between microfilaments and microtubules. They are made of fibrous protein, super-coiled into thicker strands.
Proteins comprising intermediate filaments belong to the ______ family.
keratin