Functions of Microtubules
The functions of microtubules are given below:
- Maintenance of Cell Shape: Microtubules microfilaments, and intermediate filaments play an important role in cell shape maintenance and cell stability. This filamentous framework decides the cell polarity.
- Cell Division: During mitotic cell division, microtubules form the mitotic spindle or spindle apparatus. These spindle separates chromosomes and distributes them uniformly to daughter cells. The spindle apparatus makes a contractile ring and separates daughter cells during cytokinesis.
- Cell Movement: Microtubules play an important role in the movement of prokaryotic cells. The typical ‘9+2’ structure of microtubules has nine doublet microtubules surrounding a central pair of singlet microtubules. This arrangement is found in motile cilia and eukaryotic flagella. The microtubules block the entry of mucus and dirt into the lungs in trachea cells. In a woman’s reproductive system, fallopian tubes have microtubules that transfer eggs from the ovary into the uterus.
- Intracellular Transport and Communication: Microtubules are an integral part of the cell’s internal structure, helping to transport organelles in its cytoplasm.
- Internal Transport Network: Microtubules facilitate the transmission of various cell components. This cell transport network involves the movement of materials among the cells and between them. It is made up of microtubule-associated proteins: kinesin and dynein.
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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