Aina's Page-Cytoskeleton

Cytoskeleton

What is it? A network of thin tubes and filaments

Here's another picture of a Cytoskeleton:

Examples: In Eukaryote and Prokaryote Cells, like animal and plant cells

What are the fuctions? Gives shape to the cell, from the inside( like tent poles supporting the shape of a tent) Holds molecules, the nucleus, and organelles in place Acts like a system of internal tracks to guide the organelles and molecules in the cell

What are the strutural elements? Microtubules Microfilaments Intermediate Filaments

Shape: Hollow tubes made of coiled protein Structure: Hollow tubes are made of tubulin, a protein Main Function: Holds organelles in place, maintains a cell's shape, and acts as tracks to guide the organelles and molecules that are moving in the cell

Shape: looks like a twizzler Structure: protein fibers coiled into cables, many intertwined Main Function: Anchors the nucleus and other organelles to their places in cells, maintains the internal shape of the nucleus and the external shape of the nucleus

Shape: 2 intertwined proteins, like rope Structure: long threads, beadlike protein(actin), linked end to end Main Function:: Contributes to cell movement, contraction of muscles and cells, maintains and changes the cell shape, cell division, and the movement of the cytoplasm