Conclusion – Microtubules

Microtubules are an essential part of the cell structures along with the microfilaments and intermediate filaments. These are rigid, hollow rods made up of α-tubulin and β-tubulin proteins that create protofilaments for polar microtubule formation. It plays a major role in cell division, cell movement, maintaining cell shape, etc.

Microtubules: Structure & Function

Microtubules are small polymerized tubular structures made up of tubulin proteins. Microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments are the important parts of the cytoskeleton. Microtubule is an important component of cell structure in plant and animal cells. It plays a major role in the functions of a variety of processes including cell division, cell movement, maintaining cell shape, etc.

These are rigid, hollow rods made up of α-tubulin and β-tubulin proteins that create protofilaments for polar microtubule formation. There are three types of microtubules involved in mitosis, namely astral, polar, and kinetochore. Kinesin and dynein are microtubule-associated proteins that make the internal transport network of cells.

Table of Content

  • What are Microtubules?
  • Structure of Microtubules
  • Properties of Microtubules
  • Functions of Microtubules
  • Types and Functions of Microtubules Associated with Mitosis

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What are Microtubules?

Microtubules are small polymerized tubular structures made up of tubulin proteins. Microtubules stick to specific centers called microtubule organizing centers (MOC). In animal cells, the central centrosome is a major microtubule organizing center. Microtubules are also found in the cilia and flagella of prokaryotic cells and human sperm cells. Microtubules undergo processes like treadmilling and dynamic instability, where tubulin molecules are added or lost, contributing to their dynamic nature. Microtubules have functions ranging from maintaining cell shape, cell movement using cilia or flagella, and the formation of mitotic spindle cell division....

Structure of Microtubules

The structure of microtubule is described below:...

Properties of Microtubules

Microtubules are polar with a positive (+) charge at one end, and the opposite ends have negative (-) charges that grow more slowly. Protofilaments are tiny parts of microtubules that line up in a row with the positive end always showing β-subunits and the negative end showing α-subunits. The pairs of tubulins can depolymerize or break apart. Both α- and β-tubulin bind to GTP for polymerization or depolymerization. The GTP bound to β-tubulin hydrolyzes to GDP in polymerization. The change weakens the binding affinity of tubulin and results in depolymerization and the dynamic nature of microtubules....

Functions of Microtubules

The functions of microtubules are given below:...

Types and Functions of Microtubules Associated with Mitosis

There are three types of microtubules associated with mitosis: Astral, polar, and kinetochore....

Conclusion – Microtubules

Microtubules are an essential part of the cell structures along with the microfilaments and intermediate filaments. These are rigid, hollow rods made up of α-tubulin and β-tubulin proteins that create protofilaments for polar microtubule formation. It plays a major role in cell division, cell movement, maintaining cell shape, etc....

FAQs on Microtubules

1. What is Microtubule?...

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