Animal Cell Structure: Cytoskeleton and Cell Junctions

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the cytoskeleton?

What distinguishes the cytoskeleton from the body's skeletal system?

A cell requires the ability to resist compression. Which cytoskeletal element would be MOST suited to provide this function?

Which of the following cellular structures is directly involved in the movement of organelles within a cell?

How do motor proteins facilitate the movement of organelles along microtubules?

What is the primary function of the cortical network formed by microfilaments beneath the plasma membrane?

Which type of cytoskeletal element is MOST involved in muscle contraction?

Which of the following is an example of a function primarily carried out by actin filaments?

What characteristic differentiates intermediate filaments from microtubules and microfilaments?

Which of the following proteins is a primary component of intermediate filaments?

What is the MOST likely function of intermediate filaments containing lamins?

What type of cell junction forms a continuous seal, preventing the movement of fluid across cell layers?

What is the primary function of desmosomes in tissues like muscle?

Which type of cell junction allows for rapid cell-to-cell communication through the passage of ions and small molecules?

In which of the following scenarios would gap junctions be MOST beneficial?

What is the main role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in tissues?

How does the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) typically vary?

What is the process by which cells secrete the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM)?

What is the MOST abundant glycoprotein found in the extracellular matrix (ECM)?

Water is trapped within the ECM, resisting compression and helping retain tissue shape. This function relies primarily on ______.

Fibronectins and integrins mediate which key interaction?

Which of the following statements accurately describes the dynamic nature of the cytoskeleton?

A researcher is studying a cell that needs to withstand significant stretching forces. Which type of cell junction is MOST likely to be abundant in this cell?

If a cell is unable to properly secrete collagen, what function would be MOST directly affected?

Consider a drug that inhibits the function of motor proteins associated with microtubules. What cellular process would be MOST directly affected?

Cardiac muscle cells require coordinated and rapid communication to contract efficiently. Which type of cell junction is MOST likely to facilitate this function?

A mutation disrupts the ability of cells to produce keratin. Which tissue would be MOST affected by this mutation?

Which of the following events would MOST likely occur if tight junctions in the epithelial cells lining the small intestine were compromised?

After death, cells break down, but intermediate filaments can persist. What is an example of a structure composed of intermediate filaments that remains after cellular degradation?

Which of the following BEST describes the roles of both fibronectin and integrin?

A researcher discovers a new cell type that lacks microtubules. What function would this cell MOST likely be unable to perform?

If a tissue sample shows a significant decrease in proteoglycans, which characteristic of the extracellular matrix (ECM) would be MOST directly affected?

A researcher treats cells with a compound that prevents actin subunits from polymerizing into microfilaments. Which cellular process would be MOST affected?

In a cell undergoing mechanical stress, which type of junction would be MOST important for providing structural integrity and preventing tissue tearing?

Which property of microtubules directly contributes to their role in maintaining cell shape and resisting compression?

In some disease states, neurofilaments can malfunction. Where would these problems MOST likely manifest?

Hyaluronic acid is included in some beauty products to retain moisture to 'plump' skin. Where is hyaluronic acid primarily found, and how does it retain the moisture?

Which type of cytoskeletal filament is involved in cytoplasmic streaming in plants?

Which of the following cell junctions is most like 'rivets' in that they provide attachments between sheets of cells?

What is the primary function of cilia on cells in the respiratory tract?

Which of the following BEST describes how microtubules facilitate cellular movement?

During embryonic development, cells migrate to specific locations to form tissues and organs. Which of the following is MOST crucial for guiding cell migration?

A researcher observes that a particular cell type has an unusually high concentration of desmosomes. What can the researcher infer about the function of this cell type?

How do integrins facilitate communication between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the cytoskeleton?

Many cancer cells can detach from the primary tumor and invade other tissues. Which alteration in cell junctions would MOST directly facilitate this process?