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4 kwi 2017 · 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.
In animal cells, they radiate outward from the center of the cell and act as “highways” for vesicular transport. In plants and algae, they play an important role in the secretion of cellulose, which happens at the plasma membrane.
The cytoskeleton consists of (a) microtubules, (b) microfilaments, and (c) intermediate filaments. [1] The cytoskeleton is a complex, dynamic network of interlinking protein filaments present in the cytoplasm of all cells, including those of bacteria and archaea. [2]
This image shows some animal cells. They are stained with fluorescent labels to help visualise the cytoskeleton with microtubules (green), actin filaments (red), and the nucleus (blue). The cytoskeleton is not usually shown in simple diagrams of the cell because it is a complex meshwork of strands.
Describe the cytoskeleton; Compare the roles of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules; Compare and contrast cilia and flagella; Summarize the differences among the components of prokaryotic cells, animal cells, and plant cells
The cytoskeleton is a network of different protein fibers that provides many functions: it maintains or changes the shape of the cell; it secures some organelles in specific positions; it enables movement of cytoplasm and vesicles within the cell; and it enables the cell to move in response to stimuli.
Cytoskeleton. Illustration showing the main elements of the cytoskeleton, the internal support and transport network found in cells. The cell membrane (blue) is partially supported by structures such as microfilaments (purple), intermediate filaments (yellow), and microtubules (green).
