Lecture Six : Regulation of Animal Cell Shape

6 important questions on Lecture Six : Regulation of Animal Cell Shape

What are microtubules in the cytoskeleton ?

Sub-units : Tubulin dimers forming columns
Functions :
  • Maintain cell shape (resist compression)
  • Motility (flagella and cilia)
  • Transport of organelles and vesicles

What are Intermediate filaments in the cytoskeleton ?

Sub-units :
  • Super-coiled keratins (hair)
  • Lamins (nucleus)
  • Neurofilaments (neurons)
Functions :
  • Anchor organelles
  • Maintain cell shape

What are the functions of the tight junction ?

  • Tightly hold neighboring cells together
  • Can form continuous seal
  • Prevents movement of fluid across cell layers
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What are the functions of Desmosomes ?

  • Cell anchor and linking of adjacent cells (connected by intermediate filaments)

What are the functions of Gap Junctions ?

  • Rapid intracellular communication, through passage of ions/small molecules between cells

What is the composition and origin of the extracellular matrix (ECM) ?

  • Different tissues require different types of ECM, since not all cells make direct contact with other cells.
  • Cells secrete the materials that make up their ECM (by constitutive exocytosis)
- Glycoproteins such as (Collagen fibres, Fibronectin)
- Proteoglycan matrix (trap water, resist compression)
- Membrane proteins (integrin, connect ECM to cytoskeleton, forms the communication link from outside of cell to inside)

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo