Biology › Section C · Cell structure and membranes › Topic C.4
The cytoskeleton
Strip every organelle out of a cell and what remains is still not empty: a scaffold of protein fibers gives the cell its shape, holds its parts in place, runs its shipping lanes, and even lets it crawl. Three fibers - actin ropes, keratin cables, and tubulin pipes - do all the heavy lifting.
In this topic
- The frame inside the fluid
- Microfilaments: actin in motion
- Intermediate filaments: the permanent scaffold
- Microtubules: hollow rails
- Centrosomes, centrioles, and the organizing center
- Flagella and cilia: microtubules that wave
- Worked example: one muscle cell, all three fibers
- Worked example: a white blood cell chases two bacteria
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
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