Cytoskeleton: Structure and Function

The cell is considered an essential and structural component of the body, which is present in every living thing. In cells, each organelle does not continue to remain floating in the cytoplasm, as previously thought prior to the development of the electron microscope.

There is, however, a network fiber that runs in the cytoplasm cell. It helps to fix the location of organelles in cells. However, all organelles in the cell are not fixed.

The cytoskeleton is a redesigned fibrous proteinaceous framework found in the cytoplasm of the cell. It provides mechanical support to cells. It also assists the cell in maintaining its own form and movement.

The structure of the cytoskeleton:

1. A type of cytoskeleton composed of a protein that is similar to the cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells is present in bacteria cells
2. The cytoskeleton in cells of eukaryotes is made out of three kinds of fibers:
   • Microtubules: They are also called tubulin polymers and are larger than the other two. Their diameter is around 25 nanometers. The main function of this fiber is to preserve the shape of cells. It also aids with cell mobility, for instance, the motion of the chromosomes during cell division
   • Microfilaments: They are also referred to as actin filaments. These consist of two interconnected actin strands. It is 7 nm in diameter and composed of a subunit of the actin protein. As microtubules do, it aids in maintaining cell shape, cell motility, and division of cells. It also assists in the contraction of muscles
   • Intermediate Filaments: They are composed of various fibrous proteins, which are then twisted in the cables. Their diameter ranges from 8 to 12 nm. They are the anchors for the nucleus and various organelles. They also assist in keeping the shape of cells. They also participate in the development of the cell’s lamina

The function of the cytoskeleton:

1. The cell’s cytoskeleton is a part of the motor proteins, assists in the process of cell mobility. Cell motility is used to describe changes in the location of cells and the movement of cells’ parts
2. Endocytosis and exocytosis are made easier by the cytoskeleton
3. During mitosis, microtubules organize into the mitotic spindle to guarantee that chromosomes are distributed correctly to daughter cells.
4. Microtubules help macromolecules move around
5. To facilitate mobility, microtubules aid in the creation of cilia and flagella, which are cell appendages
6. These filaments hold the various organelles of the cell at an exact position inside cells
7. These filaments aid in helping cells to maintain their shape
8. These filaments aid in forming the nuclear lamina that is inside the nucleus envelope
9. Actin filaments in thousands and thicker filaments made from myosin protein interact to induce the contracting of muscles cells
10. In the protist unicellular Amoeba as well as some white blood cells in our bodies, localized contractions triggered by myosin and actin are incorporated into the amoeboid cell movement, including extensive pseudopodia
11. The actin-protein interactions enable the cytoplasmic stream. The term “cytoplasmic streaming” refers to an encircling movement of cytoplasm within cells, which allows for greater mobility of the various cells