Podcast
Questions and Answers
The primary role of the cytoskeleton is to provide ______ for cell shape and function.
The primary role of the cytoskeleton is to provide ______ for cell shape and function.
structure
Actin microfilaments are crucial for ______ mechanisms in cells.
Actin microfilaments are crucial for ______ mechanisms in cells.
motility
Microtubules are composed of ______ protein subunits.
Microtubules are composed of ______ protein subunits.
tubulin
Intermediate filaments provide cells with ______ against mechanical stress.
Intermediate filaments provide cells with ______ against mechanical stress.
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Cells must adopt a specific shape during ______ to function effectively.
Cells must adopt a specific shape during ______ to function effectively.
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The cytoskeleton's capacity for ______ allows it to respond dynamically to growth signals.
The cytoskeleton's capacity for ______ allows it to respond dynamically to growth signals.
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The cytoskeleton is composed of actin filaments, microtubules, and __________ filaments.
The cytoskeleton is composed of actin filaments, microtubules, and __________ filaments.
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Cell junctions and adhesion are maintained by components of the ______.
Cell junctions and adhesion are maintained by components of the ______.
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Cells use ________ to remodel their cytoskeletal structures rapidly.
Cells use ________ to remodel their cytoskeletal structures rapidly.
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Transport within cells is facilitated by the ______ systems of the cytoskeleton.
Transport within cells is facilitated by the ______ systems of the cytoskeleton.
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Microtubules are approximately __________ nm in diameter.
Microtubules are approximately __________ nm in diameter.
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During cell motility, the cytoskeleton allows for rapid changes in cell __________.
During cell motility, the cytoskeleton allows for rapid changes in cell __________.
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In epithelial cells, the __________ is important for barrier formation and cell polarization.
In epithelial cells, the __________ is important for barrier formation and cell polarization.
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The strong cross-links in ________ filaments contribute to their stability.
The strong cross-links in ________ filaments contribute to their stability.
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Cytokines and growth factors are examples of signals that regulate __________ function.
Cytokines and growth factors are examples of signals that regulate __________ function.
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The primary role of muscle cells concerning the cytoskeleton is to facilitate __________.
The primary role of muscle cells concerning the cytoskeleton is to facilitate __________.
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In polarized cells, the apical and basolateral membranes are __________ different.
In polarized cells, the apical and basolateral membranes are __________ different.
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The __________ border in intestinal epithelial cells increases the surface area for absorption.
The __________ border in intestinal epithelial cells increases the surface area for absorption.
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Lamellipodia and filopodia are structures involved in ______ of cells.
Lamellipodia and filopodia are structures involved in ______ of cells.
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Molecular motors transport vesicles along the ______ filaments.
Molecular motors transport vesicles along the ______ filaments.
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Cell shape is determined by the ______.
Cell shape is determined by the ______.
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Adherens junctions use ______ proteins to connect neighboring cells.
Adherens junctions use ______ proteins to connect neighboring cells.
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The primary role of ______ is in the transport of organelles and vesicles within neurons.
The primary role of ______ is in the transport of organelles and vesicles within neurons.
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Intermediate filaments provide ______ to cells and are a key component of desmosomes.
Intermediate filaments provide ______ to cells and are a key component of desmosomes.
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Cell junctions can play important roles in maintaining ______ between adjacent cells.
Cell junctions can play important roles in maintaining ______ between adjacent cells.
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Phagocytosis involves the dynamic rearrangement of ______ to engulf particles.
Phagocytosis involves the dynamic rearrangement of ______ to engulf particles.
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What is one primary function of the cytoskeleton in cells?
What is one primary function of the cytoskeleton in cells?
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Which of the following is NOT a component of the cytoskeleton?
Which of the following is NOT a component of the cytoskeleton?
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Which property of the cytoskeleton allows for reliability in cell function?
Which property of the cytoskeleton allows for reliability in cell function?
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How do actin microfilaments contribute to cell movement?
How do actin microfilaments contribute to cell movement?
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What characteristic of the cytoskeleton helps it to adapt to external signals?
What characteristic of the cytoskeleton helps it to adapt to external signals?
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During wound healing, what essential characteristic must cytoskeletal components provide?
During wound healing, what essential characteristic must cytoskeletal components provide?
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What contributes to the dynamic nature of the cytoskeleton?
What contributes to the dynamic nature of the cytoskeleton?
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In polarized epithelial cells, which cytoskeletal component is critical for maintaining cell organization?
In polarized epithelial cells, which cytoskeletal component is critical for maintaining cell organization?
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Which cytoskeletal component is the most dynamic and is remodeled by ATP/ADP?
Which cytoskeletal component is the most dynamic and is remodeled by ATP/ADP?
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What characteristic distinguishes intermediate filaments from actin and microtubules?
What characteristic distinguishes intermediate filaments from actin and microtubules?
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Which of the following cells relies on the cytoskeleton for maintaining directed cell extensions?
Which of the following cells relies on the cytoskeleton for maintaining directed cell extensions?
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What role do molecular motors play in cellular function?
What role do molecular motors play in cellular function?
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What is the primary role of microtubules during cellular functions?
What is the primary role of microtubules during cellular functions?
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Which cytoskeletal structure is primarily involved in connecting cells at adherens junctions?
Which cytoskeletal structure is primarily involved in connecting cells at adherens junctions?
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Which signal molecule is involved in the regulation of cytoskeleton function?
Which signal molecule is involved in the regulation of cytoskeleton function?
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In which specialized cells is the cytoskeleton crucial for forming barriers?
In which specialized cells is the cytoskeleton crucial for forming barriers?
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What is the primary function of lamellipodia and filopodia in cells?
What is the primary function of lamellipodia and filopodia in cells?
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What role do calcium ions play in cell junctions like adherens and desmosomes?
What role do calcium ions play in cell junctions like adherens and desmosomes?
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What effect do strong cross-links have on intermediate filaments?
What effect do strong cross-links have on intermediate filaments?
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Which of the following cytoskeletal components is characterized as extremely dynamic?
Which of the following cytoskeletal components is characterized as extremely dynamic?
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How does the cytoskeleton contribute to intracellular transport?
How does the cytoskeleton contribute to intracellular transport?
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Which proteins are involved in the attachment of the cytoskeleton to cell junctions?
Which proteins are involved in the attachment of the cytoskeleton to cell junctions?
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Which structure is primarily involved in increasing the absorptive surface area in epithelial cells?
Which structure is primarily involved in increasing the absorptive surface area in epithelial cells?
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What is the connection between the cytoskeleton and disease, particularly in cancer?
What is the connection between the cytoskeleton and disease, particularly in cancer?
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Which of these cytoskeletal components is involved in forming bundles and meshworks?
Which of these cytoskeletal components is involved in forming bundles and meshworks?
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Which of these structures primarily enables the maintenance of cell shape and support against stress?
Which of these structures primarily enables the maintenance of cell shape and support against stress?
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Study Notes
Cell Shape and Movement
- BS31004 covers cell shape, movement, cell adhesion and signalling
- Recommended textbook is Alberts et al., "Molecular Biology of the Cell", Chapters 16 & 19
- Lectures include:
- Introduction to the cytoskeleton and specialized cells
- Intermediate filaments
- Actin microfilaments
- Microtubules
Cytoskeleton
-
Cytosol:
- Contains soluble components
- 4 times more viscous than water
- Movement occurs by diffusion
-
Cytoskeleton:
- Visible as a pellet after cell lysis
- Composed of filaments throughout the cytoplasm
- Involved in transport, directionality, and compartmentalization
-
Fibroblast cytoskeleton: Image provided illustrating the complex cytoskeletal network within a fibroblast cell. Scale bar is 10 μm
Cell Function Requirements
- All cells must react to extracellular signals (physical and chemical) to:
- Undergo mitosis
- Migrate (e.g., wound healing, embryogenesis)
- Adopt a specialized cell shape during differentiation
- Maintain the specialized shape in a multicellular tissue
- Resist being pulled apart or ruptured
- Maintain their orientation
Major Cytoskeleton Systems
- Actin microfilaments
- Tubulin microtubules
- Intermediate filaments
Cytoskeleton Components
-
Filaments:
- Intermediate filaments
- Microfilaments (actin)
- Microtubules (tubulin)
-
Associated Proteins:
- Motor proteins
- Linkers
- Modifying proteins
- Membrane binding sites
- Attachment proteins
Cell Polarity Requirements
- Apical and basolateral membranes differ functionally
- This difference is mediated / enabled by cytoskeleton
Cytoskeleton and Cell Movement
- Cells use the cytoskeleton for rapid shape changes for movement
- Examples include neutrophils chasing bacteria, and cellular migration (growth cones and lamellipodia/filopodia as examples of the leading edge of a moving cell)
Actin Distribution in Moving Cells-Polarised
- Actin filaments and their organization are essential for cell movement and shape
- Actin distribution varies to accommodate various cellular processes.
Phagocytosis and Actin Dynamics
- Actin forms the framework for phagocytosis to engulf foreign bodies
Cell Shape
- Determined by the cytoskeleton
Red Blood Cell Membrane Cytoskeleton
- Contains intricate network of proteins: Spectrin, actin, adducin, ankyrin, and band 3. These proteins contribute to the maintained shape of the cell (red blood cell).
Cell Shape, Anchorage, and Survival
- Cell shape and attachment influence cell division (proliferation) and survival.
- Cells need a surface to adhere to in order to proliferate / divide
Intracellular Transport
- Moving molecules within and between cells and organelles requires the cytoskeleton.
Molecular Motors
- Motors like kinesin and dynein in transport along microtubules in various cell types.
Organelle Transport
- Transport of organelles in use of cytoplasmic dynein and kinesin along microtubules, demonstrated in diagram
Neuronal Growth Cone
- Growth cones are critical in neuronal development and plasticity, exemplified by lamellipodia / filopodia
Actin-Dependent Dendritic Spines
- Importance of cytoskeletal components like actin in dendritic spines in memory formation. Changes to actin in spines are correlated with memory formation.
Co-ordinated Cell Movements
- Epithelial cells often move and rearrange in sync with each others through coordinated / connected cytoskeleton arrangements and tension.
Cell Junctions
- Specialized junctions exist at cell borders; provide attachment between cells (desmosomes, adherens junctions) and between cells and extracellular matrix proteins (hemidesmosomes)
- Critical for structure and function
Cytoskeleton and Disease
-
Cytoskeleton mutations can cause hereditary disorders like:
- Hemolytic anemia
- Skin fragility disorders
- Motor neuron diseases
- Cardio- and skeletal myopathies
- Progeria
- Male sterility
- Deafness/blindness
-
Dysfunctional cytoskeletal components can also lead to cancer
Drugs Affecting Cytoskeleton
-
Pharmaceuticals act on actin filaments and microtubules by:
- Stabilising
- Severing
- Binding to subunits (blocking polymerization)
-
Example drugs: Taxol, colchicine, colcemid, vinblastine, vincristine, nocodazole, phalloidin and latrunculin.
Taxol
- Derived from the Pacific yew tree
- Used to treat breast and lung cancer
- Stabilizes microtubules
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Description
This quiz covers essential concepts from BS31004, focusing on cell shape, movement, and the cytoskeleton as outlined in Chapters 16 and 19 of Alberts et al.'s 'Molecular Biology of the Cell'. Explore topics like intermediate filaments, actin microfilaments, microtubules, and the functions of the cytoskeleton in cell behavior and signaling.
