BIOL 311 Lecture 15: Cytoskeleton
Document Summary
A complex network of filaments in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. They are dynamic, unlike your bone skeleton, which is static. Functions: strength, movement (cell, vesicles, proteins, etc. , cell division, orientation of organelles. Major constitutes: microfilaments (aka actin filaments, or f-actin) Found in cortex of cell (all around the outside) Beta: front and leading edge of filament cells (cell movement) Organized in an array, radiate out from the center of cell. Act to guide things around the cell: intermediate filaments. Experiment 1 - compare all three constituents to get a sense of their properties. Look at all three and compare deformation length and deformation force (essentially how long they can stretch before snapping). Microtubules can stretch a decent distance before snapping. Intermediate do not snap easily, an go on and on. Microfilaments - involved in many structures and activities (see diagram) Actin: make up 10% of muscle cells and 1-5% of non-muscles: g-actin (globular)
