Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeleton (also CSK) is a cellular "scaffolding" or "skeleton" contained within the cytoplasm that is made out of protein. The cytoskeleton is present in all cells; it was once thought this structure was unique to eukaryotes, but recent research has identified the prokaryotic cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton (also CSK) is a cellular "scaffolding" or "skeleton" contained within the cytoplasm that is made out of protein. The cytoskeleton is present in all cells; it was once thought this structure was unique to eukaryotes, but recent research has identified the prokaryotic cytoskeleton.scaffoldingskeletoncytoplasmprotein eukaryotesprokaryotic cytoskeletonscaffoldingskeletoncytoplasmprotein eukaryotesprokaryotic cytoskeleton

It is a dynamic structure that maintains cell shape, protects the cell, enables cellular motion (using structures such as flagella, cilia and lamellipodia), and plays important roles in both intracellular transport (the movement of vesicles and organelles, for example) and cellular division. It is a dynamic structure that maintains cell shape, protects the cell, enables cellular motion (using structures such as flagella, cilia and lamellipodia), and plays important roles in both intracellular transport (the movement of vesicles and organelles, for example) and cellular division.flagellacilia lamellipodia vesicles cellular divisionflagellacilia lamellipodia vesicles cellular division

The concept and the term (cytosquelette, in French) was first introduced by French embryologist Paul Wintrebert in The concept and the term (cytosquelette, in French) was first introduced by French embryologist Paul Wintrebert in 1931.Paul WintrebertPaul Wintrebert

Cells contain elaborate arrays of protein fibers that serve such functions as: Cells contain elaborate arrays of protein fibers that serve such functions as: establishing cell shape establishing cell shape providing mechanical strength providing mechanical strength locomotion locomotion Cell division Cell division intracellular transport of organelles intracellular transport of organelles

The cytoskeleton is made up of three kinds of protein filaments: The cytoskeleton is made up of three kinds of protein filaments: Actin filaments (also called microfilaments) Actin filaments (also called microfilaments) Intermediate filaments and Intermediate filaments and Microtubules Microtubules

Actin Filaments Actin Filaments is composed of two intertwined actin chains is composed of two intertwined actin chains most concentrated just beneath the cell membrane, and are responsible for resisting tension and maintaining cellular shape. most concentrated just beneath the cell membrane, and are responsible for resisting tension and maintaining cellular shape.

Microtubules Microtubules Microtubules are cylindrical tubes, nm in diameter. Microtubules are cylindrical tubes, nm in diameter. They are composed of subunits of the protein tubulin-- these subunits are termed alpha and beta. They are composed of subunits of the protein tubulin-- these subunits are termed alpha and beta. Microtubules act as a scaffold to determine cell shape, and provide a set of "tracks" for cell organelles and vesicles to move on. Microtubules act as a scaffold to determine cell shape, and provide a set of "tracks" for cell organelles and vesicles to move on. Microtubules also form the spindle fibers for separating chromosomes during mitosis. Microtubules also form the spindle fibers for separating chromosomes during mitosis. When arranged in geometric patterns inside flagella and cilia, they are used for locomotion. When arranged in geometric patterns inside flagella and cilia, they are used for locomotion.

Intermediate Filaments Intermediate filaments are about 10 nm diameter and provide tensile strength for the cell. Intermediate Filaments Intermediate filaments are about 10 nm diameter and provide tensile strength for the cell.

Different intermediate filaments are: Different intermediate filaments are: made of vimentins, being the common structural support of many cells. made of vimentins, being the common structural support of many cells.vimentins made of keratin, found in skin cells, hair and nails. made of keratin, found in skin cells, hair and nails.keratinskinhair nailskeratinskinhair nails neurofilaments of neural cells. neurofilaments of neural cells. neurofilaments made of lamin, giving structural support to the nuclear envelope. made of lamin, giving structural support to the nuclear envelope.lamin