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.
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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