Definition of the Cytoskeleton, its Function and Structure (Complete)

Definition of the Cytoskeleton, its Function and Structure (Complete) – Meet again with About Knowledge, now we will discuss about the cytoskeleton. What is the cytoskeleton? So for those who don't know and who want to know, let's talk about the cytoskeleton.

Definition of the Cytoskeleton, its Function and Structure (Complete)

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What is the Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeleton is a network of fibers and also the skeleton of the cell and then organizes the structure and activities in the cell. Where is the protein-stained network which then composes the cytoplasm in the cell. In the early days of electron microscopy, biologists suspected that the organelles of eukaryotic cells were free to expand in the cytosol.

However, the improvement of the quality of light microscopy or electron microscopy in order to reveal the presence of the cytoskeleton. Or also often referred to in scientific language Cytoskeleton. A network that extends throughout the cytoplasm. The cytoskeleton itself plays an important role in the organization of the structure and also in cell activity, which is also composed of three molecular structures, microfilaments, and also filaments intermediate.

Functions of the Cytoskeleton

1. Can provide mechanical strength to cells
2. Functions as a cell skeleton
3. Can assist in the movement of substances from one part of the cell to another

Cytoskeleton Structure

The cytoskeleton has several structures in the preparation of the cytoskeleton, what are the structures that can make up the cytoskeleton for more details, let's see the explanation below.

1. Microtubules

All eukaryotic cells have microtubules or often referred to in scientific language as microtubules. in hollow rods having a diameter of about 25 nm and also a length of between 200 mm up to 25 um. And the walls of the hollow tube are also composed of globular proteins which are also called tubulins.

Each protein in tubulin is a dimer, a molecule that has been assembled on top of two subunits. Wherein a tubulin dimer also comprises two slightly different polypeptides, tubulin A and also tubulin B. Where microtubules increase in length and also through the addition of tubulin dimers, and also microtubules which is broken down and the tubulin is used to build microtubules elsewhere in the body cell.

Microtubules also form and support cells and also act as pathways that can be traversed with organelles that have been supplemented by motor proteins. In order to give an example and also differ from the microtubules that guide the secretory vesicles obtained from the Golgi apparatus into the plasma membrane. Also, microtubules separate chromosomes at the time of cell division.

Microtubule Function

1. In order to maintain cell shape or compression-resisting supports
2. Cell motility or as in cilia or also flagella
3. Movement of chromosomes during cell division
4. Organelle movement

2. Intermediate Filament

Intermediate filaments or often also referred to in scientific language as intermediate filaments and also have a diameter of 8 to 12 nm. Which is larger than the diameter of the microfilaments but smaller than the microtubules. Where intermediate filaments are specialized to withstand tension or are like microfilaments.

And also consists of various classes and elements of the cytoskeleton. Where each type is composed of different molecular subunits and also belongs to a family of proteins. And vice versa microtubules and microfilaments have a fixed diameter and composition and there are all eukaryotic cells.

Where intermediate filaments are useful as cell reinforcement which is more permanent than microfilaments and also microtubules. Which can be broken down and also reassembled in various parts of the cell. And even if cells die, the intermediate filament network is very often to survive, For example, the outermost layer of our skin and consists of dead skin cells which are full of protein keratin.

Intermediate Filament Function

1. Can maintain the shape of the cell or stress-resisting element
2. Nuclear anchorage as well as certain other organelles
3. As the formation of the nuclear lamina

3. Microfilament

Microfilaments or often referred to in scientific language as microfilaments are solid rods that have a diameter of about 7 nm. Microfilaments are often called actin filaments because they are composed of actin molecules or the scientific language is actin. And a kind of globular protein, where the microfilament is a double chain or sub-units of actin that is being twisted.

And there are also filaments as straight filaments, microfilaments can also form a structural net, because of the presence of protein that has bound along the side of the actin filament and can allow new filaments to stretch as branch. Visible microfilaments are found in all eukaryotic cells.

Microfilaments are well known for their role in cell motility, which is primarily part of the contractile apparatus of muscle cells. However, in contrast to the role of anchoring or compression by microtubules, the structural role of microfilaments within the cytoskeleton is to withstand tension.

The three-dimensional network formed by microfilaments is right inside the plasma membrane or cortical microfilaments that help support the shape of the cell. This network can lead to a layer of the outermost cytoplasm of the cell or called the cortex, which is also known as the cortex has a consistency in a semisolid gel, and is also the opposite of the more dense interior cytoplasmic conditions fluent.

In animal cells that are specialized for transporting materials across the plasma membrane, for example, the cells in the intestine as mentioned earlier.

Microfilament Function

1. To maintain the shape of the cell or stress-resisting element
2. Changes in the shape of the cell
3. Contraction of muscles
4. Cytoplasmic flow
5. Cell motility or as in pseudopodia
6. Cell division

A few explanations have been given regarding Definition of the Cytoskeleton, its Function and Structure (Complete), hopefully it can help make it easier to understand the cytoskeleton, hopefully it's useful

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