2.1.1 (not mock)

• What is the cytoskeleton?

  A network of protein fibres that gives the cell shape and structure and allows the cell and its organelles to move --> made of microfilaments, microtubules and centrioles
• what is the function of the cytoskeleton structure, support, transport and movement?

  1. support the cell organelles, keeping them in position
  2. provide mechanical strength and maintains shape
  3. transport of organelles e.g. chromosomes
  4. movement of the whole cell e.g. flagella, cilia and for phagocytosis
• What are microfilaments?

  1. made up of actin fibres which can contract, allowing the cell to move

  2. cytokinesis, they contract and pull on the plasma membrane, which allows the cell to divide
• What are microtubules?

  made up of the protein tubulin

  1. the network in the cytoplasm maintains the cells shape and supports the cells organelles (hold them in position)

  2. they also act as tracks for the transport of organelles e.g. vesicles 3. form spindle fibres which pull chromosomes apart in cell division
• what are centrioles

  structures made of microtubules (in the 9 formation), which are involved in the assembly and organisation of spindle fibres during cell division
• how do microtubules move organelles or other structures around the cell

  they can polymerise or disassemble rapidly by the addition of removal of tubulin dimers - organelles can attach to them