Table 6.

1b

Concept 6.6: The cytoskeleton is a network of fibers

that organizes structures and activities in the cell

Microtubules (MTs):

25 nm in diameter hollow tubules,

up to many microns long (across the
whole cell)

Made of alpha and beta tubulin

dimers

Assemble with polarity. One end

grows and shrinks faster (called the
plus end).

Substrate for motor proteins

The cytoskeleton is a network of polymers within cells

It organizes the cells structures and activities, anchoring
many organelles
It is composed of three types of molecular structures
Microtubules are the thickest of the three components of
the cytoskeleton
Microfilaments, also called actin filaments, are the
thinnest components
Intermediate filaments are fibers with diameters in a
middle range

Organizes the cell and supports

movement of organelles,
chromosomes, and cilia. Motor
proteins can move toward the plus or
minus end, so MTs form highways for
transport within the cell.
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Most microtubules in cells grow and shrink at their plus

ends
Most microtubules start growing at the centrosome of a
cell

Cells have plus and minus end directed microtubule motors. Both
are involved in directed movements (distribution of mitochondria,
endoplasmic reticulum, secretory vesicles, pigment granules).
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Cilia and Flagella

Centrosomes and
Centrioles

Both are
microtubulecontaining
extensions that
project from
some cells

In animal cells (but not

plants), the centrosome
has a pair of centrioles,
each with nine triplets of
microtubules arranged in
a ring

Cilia and flagella

differ in their
beating patterns

Probably dont have a

function in the
centrosome, but are
essential for the
formation of cilia and
flagella.

Structure of cilia and

flagella

Microtubules

Plasma
membrane
Basal
body
0.5 m

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9 + 2 structure of microtubules
(in vertebrates)

A core of microtubules
sheathed by the
plasma membrane
A basal body (like roots
of a tree) that anchors
the cilium or flagellum in
the cell surface
A motor protein called
dynein, which drives the
bending movements of a
cilium or flagellum
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Figure 6.24c

Disorders of cilia or flagella function cause:

0.1 m
Triplet

Sterility and other reproductive problems (male and

female)
Respiratory disorders
Vision and hearing disorders
Body symmetry disorders (embryonic development)
Renal dysfunction (polycystic kidney disease)

(c) Cross section of centriole in a basal body

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Functional significance of cilia and flagella

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Microfilaments (actin
filaments)
7 nm in diameter, up to 1-2
microns in length
Made of actin monomers
Form is a double twisted strand
Substrate for myosin motors

Human genetic disorders of ciliary function result in male sterility, as well as airway,
sensory and other defects.

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Forms support of cell shape

(cell cortex), tension bearing
(stress fibers) protrusions
(microvilli), required for cell
division, movement, muscle
contraction, cytoplasmic
streaming (in plants)
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Figure 6.26a

Muscle cells contain long chains of actin and myosin

filament arrays which contract together, allowing
movements

Microvilli on intestinal cells

are supported by tightly
packed actin filaments

Muscle cell
0.5 m
Actin
filament
Myosin
filament
Myosin
head
(a) Myosin motors in muscle cell contraction

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Amoeboid cell movement requires actin filaments

Amoeboid cell movement in white blood cells

Amoeba showing
actin in green
and myosin in
red
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Cytoplasmic Streaming helps distribute cell

components in plant cells. Driven by
actin/myosin and gel/sol transitions

Intermediate Filaments
812 nanometers in diameter,
larger than microfilaments
but smaller than microtubules
support cell shape and fix
organelles in place
Much stronger and more
stable than actin or
microtubules
Many protein types, keratins,
desmins, etc, Tissue specific.
Only in animal cells
mutations produce many
diseases

IFs in neurons (neurofilaments)

Plants have Cell walls:

Lou Gehrig's Batting Average

0.6

extracellular structure not found in

animal cells

0.5
0.4
0.3

Prokaryotes, fungi, and some

unicellular eukaryotes also have cell
walls

0.2
0.1

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

disease (ALS or Lou Gherigs)

(below) brain tissue

39

38

37

36

35

34

33

32

31

30

29

28

27

26

25

24

IFs in normal (above) and

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

23

19

Concept 6.7: Extracellular components

The cell wall protects the cell,

maintains its shape, and prevents
excessive uptake of water
Components: embedded cellulose
fibers (plants), polysaccharides and
proteins. (In plants, creates a
material much like fiberglass)

Plant cell walls may

have multiple layers
Primary cell wall: Relatively
thin and flexible
Middle lamella: Thin layer
between primary walls of
adjacent cells contains
polysaccharide glue
(pectins)
Secondary cell wall (in
some cells): Added between
the plasma membrane and
the primary
cell wall) (bulk of wood)

The Extracellular Matrix (ECM) of Animal

Cells
The ECM is made
of glycoproteins
such as collagen,
proteoglycans,
and fibronectin
ECM proteins
bind to cell
surface receptor
proteins in the
plasma
membrane called
integrins

The ECM has an influential role in the lives

of cells
ECM can regulate a cells
behavior by communicating
with a cell through integrins
The ECM around a cell can
influence the activity of gene
in the nucleus
Mechanical signaling may
occur through cytoskeletal
changes, that trigger
chemical signals in the cell

Artificial neural
networks created
by patterned
application of
ECM proteins.

Yeung et al 2001. Neurosci

Lett 301:147-150

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You encounter a patient with a genetic defect in

microtubule assembly. Which of the following is least
likely to be a symptom exhibited by the patient?

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Cell Junctions: Neighboring cells in tissues,

organs, or organ systems often adhere, interact, and
communicate through direct physical contact
Cell walls

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Sterility
Loss of muscle strength
Frequent respiratory infection
Delayed neurological responses
Fragile skin

Interior
of cell

Interior
of cell
0.5 m

Plasmodesmata

Plasma membranes

Plants have plasmodesmata: channels

that perforate plant cell walls
Allow water and small solutes (and
sometimes proteins and RNA) to pass from
cell to cell

Tight Junctions, Desmosomes, and Gap

Junctions in Animal Cells
At tight junctions,
membranes of
neighboring cells are
pressed together,
preventing leakage of fluid
between cells
Desmosomes (anchoring
junctions) fasten cells
together into strong
sheets
Gap junctions
(communicating junctions)
provide cytoplasmic
channels between

adjacent cells

Desmosomes are especially

important for tissues that
experience mechanical stress

Desmosomes in skin

Desmosomes form stable attachments between

cells

Communication junctions allow electrical signals

and small but not large molecules to move
between cells

Pemphigus foliaceus

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pemphigus_foliaceus_dog_1.jpg
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