Biology (Microfilaments)

Microtubules, Intermediate Filaments, Microfilaments

3 types of cytoskeleton

Microtubules

Lengthy, thickest among filaments. Stiff, hollow tubes

Intermediate Filaments

Smaller than microtubules, ropelike

Microfilaments

Thinnest, flexible filaments

Actin Filaments

Microfilments are also called

Microtubules

1. Give cell shape

2. Serve as anchorage for membrane bound organelles and other cell parts

3. Act as tracks for movement of vesicles and other cell components

Intermediate Filaments

1. Give cell tensile strength

2. Ability to stretch without breaking apart

Microfilaments

1. Provide meshwork and rigidity of cells

2. Important for cell movement

Tissues

Collection of cells that carry out a specific function.

Junctions

Structures that join cells together

Plasmodesmata

Intercellular connections lined by extentions of cell membrane. Play important role in sharing water, nutrients, and chemical messages among plant cells.

Tight junctions, Adhesion junctions, Gap junctions

3 Types of Junctions

(T, A, G)

Tight Junctions

Join two cells tightly together to form a leakproof sheet.

Adhesion Junctions

Act like screws together with cytoskeleton fibers to form strong sheets.

Gap Junctions

Play similar role to plasmodesmata in plants, they both allow small molecules to flow between neighboring cells.