Cytoskeleton

=__CYTOSKELETON  __   =

=  =

The cytoskeleton is a network of fibers throughout the cell's cytoplasm that helps the cell maintain its shape and gives support to the cell. 
 * CLICK TO WATCH  **


 * Function:**
 * maintains cell shape
 * often protects the cell
 * enables cellular motion
 * plays an important role in intracellular transport
 * is very important in cell division


 * Structure:**
 * **Microtubules**- Microtubules are conveyer belts inside the cells. They move vesicles, granules, organelles like mitochondria, and chromosomes. They are linear polymers of tubulin which is a globular protein. These linear polymers are called protofilaments. Microtubules may work alone, or join with other proteins to form more complex structures called cilia, flagella or centrioles.


 * **Intermediate filaments****-** They stabilize organelles, like the nucleus, or they can be involved in specialized junctions.


 * **Microfilaments**- A thin, single-stranded filament of the cytoskeleton found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, composed of actin subunits, and functions are maintaining the structural integrity of a cell and cell movements.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica"> <span style="color: rgb(221, 14, 14)"> =**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica"><span style="color: rgb(221, 14, 14)">Actin Polymerization **=

G to F Actin
g= globular f = fibrous

=<span style="color: rgb(239, 11, 11)"> **CYTOSKELETON IMAGES** =

<span style="color: rgb(237, 33, 33)">References

 * [|About.com]
 * [|uic.edu]
 * [|Biochemweb.org]
 * [|iknow.net]