The cytoskeleton is a network of fibers that extends throughout the cytoplasm and provides structural support to the cell. It is composed of three main types of fibers - microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments. The cytoskeleton also functions in cell motility through motor proteins that interact with the fibers to transport vesicles and organelles within the cell. It plays an important role in cell division and shape change.

2. Cytoskeleton
Providing structural support to the cell, the
cytoskeleton also functions in cell motility and
regulation

3. Structural Support
Mechanical support
Maintains shape
Fibers act like a geodesic dome to stabilize and balance
opposing forces
Provides anchorage for organelles
Dynamic
Dismantles in one spot and reassembles in another to change
cell shape

4. Introduction
The cytoskeleton is a network of fibers extending
throughout the cytoplasm.
The cytoskeleton
organizes the
structures and
activities of
the cell.

5. The cytoskeleton also plays a major role in cell motility.
This involves both changes in cell location and limited movements of
parts of the cell.
The cytoskeleton interacts with motor proteins.
In cilia and flagella motor proteins pull components
of the cytoskeleton past each other.
This is also true
in muscle cells.
Fig. 7.21a

6. Motor molecules also carry vesicles or organelles to various
destinations along “monorails’ provided by the cytoskeleton.
Interactions of motor proteins and the cytoskeleton circulates
materials within a cell via streaming.
Recently, evidence is accumulating that the cytoskeleton may
transmit mechanical
signals that rearrange
the nucleoli and
other structures.
Fig. 7.21b

7. There are three main types of fibers in the cytoskeleton:
microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate
filaments.

9. Microtubules, the thickest fibers, are hollow rods about 25
microns in diameter.
Microtubule fibers are constructed of the globular protein, tubulin,
and they grow or shrink as more tubulin molecules are added or
removed.
They move chromosomes during cell division.
Another function is
as tracks that guide
motor proteins
carrying organelles
to their destination.
Fig. 7.21b

10. In many cells, microtubules grow out from a centrosome near
the nucleus.
These microtubules resist compression to the cell.

11. • In animal cells, the centrosome has a pair of
centrioles, each with nine triplets of microtubules
arranged in a ring.
• During cell division the
centrioles replicate.
Fig. 7.22

12. Microtubules are the central structural supports in cilia and
flagella.
Both can move unicellular and small multicellular organisms by
propelling water past the organism.
If these structures are anchored in a large structure, they move fluid
over a surface.
 For example, cilia sweep mucus carrying trapped debris from the lungs.
Fig. 7.2

13. Cilia usually occur in large numbers on the cell surface.
They are about 0.25 microns in diameter and 2-20 microns long.
There are usually just one or a few flagella per cell.
Flagella are the same width as cilia, but 10-200 microns long.

14. A flagellum has an undulatory movement.
Force is generated parallel to the flagellum’s axis.
Fig. 7.23a

15. Cilia move more like oars with alternating power and recovery
strokes.
They generate force perpendicular to the cilia’s axis.
Fig. 7.23b

16. In spite of their differences, both cilia and flagella have the same
ultrastructure.
Both have a core of microtubules sheathed by the plasma membrane.
Nine doublets of microtubules arranged around a pair at the center,
the “9 + 2” pattern.
Flexible “wheels” of proteins connect outer doublets to each other
and to the core.
The outer doublets are also connected by motor proteins.
The cilium or flagellum is anchored in the cell by a basal body,
whose structure is identical to a centriole.

17. Fig. 7.24

18. The bending of cilia and flagella is driven by the arms of a motor
protein, dynein.
Addition to dynein of a phosphate group from ATP and its removal
causes conformation changes in the protein.
Dynein arms alternately
grab, move, and release
the outer microtubules.
Protein cross-links limit
sliding and the force is
expressed as bending.
Fig. 7.25

19. Microfilaments, the thinnest class of the cytoskeletal fibers, are
solid rods of the globular protein actin.
An actin microfilament consists of a twisted double chain of actin
subunits.
Microfilaments are designed to resist tension.
With other proteins, they form a three-dimensional network just
inside the plasma membrane.

20. Fig. 7.26 The shape of the
microvilli in this intestinal cell
are supported by microfilaments,
anchored to a network of
intermediate filaments.

21. In muscle cells, thousands of actin filaments are arranged
parallel to one another.
Thicker filaments, composed of a motor protein, myosin,
interdigitate with the thinner actin fibers.
Myosin molecules walk along the actin filament, pulling stacks of actin
fibers together and shortening
the cell.
Fig. 7.21a

22.  In other cells, these actin-myosin aggregates are less organized but still
cause localized contraction.
A contracting belt of microfilaments divides the cytoplasm of animals
cells during cell division.
Localized contraction also drives amoeboid movement.
 Pseudopodia, cellular extensions, extend and contract through the
reversible assembly and contraction of actin subunits into microfilaments.
Fig. 7.21b

23. In plant cells (and others), actin-myosin interactions and sol-gel
transformations drive cytoplasmic streaming.
This creates a circular flow of cytoplasm in the cell.
This speeds the distribution of materials within the cell.
Fig. 7.21c

24. Intermediate filaments,
intermediate in size at 8 - 12
nanometers, are specialized for
bearing tension.
Intermediate filaments are built from
a diverse class of subunits from a
family of proteins called keratins.
Intermediate filaments are more
permanent fixtures of the
cytoskeleton than are the other
two classes.
They reinforce cell shape and fix
organelle location.
Fig. 7.26