CYTOSKELETON

STRUCTURE OF CYTOSKELETON: The cytoskeleton is made up of three separate properties each containing their own unique structure. The three properties are the microtubules,microfilaments, and the intermediate filaments. Microtubules are basically many hollow tubes and are the thickest of the three properties. Microfilaments also called actin filaments are made of two strands intertwined. The third property are intermediate filaments which have thick cables of fibrous proteins that have multiple coils.

FUNCTION OF CYTOSKELETON: The microtubules maintain the cells shape, help in the movement of organelles as well as that of the chromosomes. They also assist in cell motility. The microfilaments, also known as actin filaments assist in the following; the contractions of muscles, cell division, changes in cell shape, maintaining the cell shape, cell motility, assist in cell division, and cytoplasmic straining. The intermediate filaments assist in only two functions, these are: the maintaining of cell shape and the support of the cells structure.

LOCATION OF CYTOSKELETON: Cytoskeleton is present in eucaryotic cells only. The three properties: Microfilaments,microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a fibrous network in the cytoplasm that holds the cell together.

ASSOCIATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANELLES: The association cytoskeleton has with other organelles is that it contains all the elements of cytoplasm inside the cell.