Question

Explain how the cytoskeleton participates in the functional organization of tissues, and discuss the role of adhesive molecules.

Answer 1

Explain how the cytoskeleton participates in the functional organization of tissues?

Cytoskeleton is the fibrillar cell proteins which are organized into filaments or tubules. They participate in functional organization of tissues by providing rigid structural support to cells and allows for cells to alter shape, contract and move.

The filaments of cytoskeleton are composed of microfilaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules

Microfilaments (smallest ranging from 5-7nm) consists of protein called actin which provides structural support by anchoring cytoskeleton to membrane proteins, alter the viscosity of cytoplasm and interact with myosin to produce contractions.

Intermediate filaments which are 7-11 nm provide strength and stability for cell shape, stabilize the position of the organelles, and stabilizes the cell position with respect to surround cells by attaching to cell membrane.

Microtubules are the largest filaments of cytoskeleton which consists of tubulin and are circularly arranged. They help to maintain cell shape, participate in intracellular pathways through cytoplasm, locomotion in the form of cilia and flagella, forms the mitotic spindles which is important for cell division

Role of adhesive molecules: Adhesiion molecules are group of transmembrane proteins which help in cell to cell and cell to extracellular matrix interactions. Examples include integrins, cadherins, immunoglobulin superfamily, selectins

Their main function is to regulate the extracellular and cytoplasmic domains which include various functions like contact inhibition, apoptosis, cell shape, cell migration, cell sorting, cell identification and organization of the tissues.