(139) THE CYTOSKELETON - MICROTUBULES, INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS, MICROFILAMENTS

Cytoskeleton

A dynamic structure in eukaryotic cells that provides support, shape, and facilitates movement and transport within the cell.

Microtubules

Hollow tubes made of tubulin dimers that organize organelles and direct intracellular transport.

Intermediate filaments

Rope-like fibers that provide mechanical strength and stability to cells, found especially in epithelial tissues.

Microfilaments

Also known as actin filaments, they control the shape of the cell and are important in locomotion.

Treadmilling

A process observed in actin filaments where one end grows while the other shrinks, usually at steady-state equilibrium.

ARP complex

Actin-related proteins that nucleate actin filament growth and form branched networks.

Dynamic instability

The rapid assembly and disassembly of microtubules due to the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP.

Centrosome

A microtubule organizing center that helps organize the spindle poles during cell division.

Capping protein

A protein that binds to the end of an actin filament to prevent further growth or shrinkage.

Dynein

Motor proteins found in cilia and flagella that facilitate movement between microtubule doublets.

Nucleation

The initial step in the formation of a cytoskeletal filament, critical for its stability and growth.

GTP cap

A stabilizing structure formed by GTP-bound tubulin at the growing end of a microtubule that promotes rapid growth.

Cofilin

An accessory protein that promotes the depolymerization of actin filaments.

Basal bodies

Microtubule organizing centers that form the base of cilia and flagella.

Protein Hydrolysis

The process by which ATP or GTP bound to actin or tubulin is converted to ADP or GDP, respectively, influencing filament dynamics.

Cleavage furrow

The actin filament structure that aids in the division of a cell during cytokinesis.