Structure and function of cytoskeleton - Question Bank
1. The dynamic assembly and disassembly of the microtubule network is critical for:
2. The disruption of intermediate filaments can lead to increased susceptibility of cells to mechanical stress. This is because they provide:
3. Which cytoskeletal component is primarily responsible for the formation and maintenance of the cell cortex, a layer just beneath the plasma membrane?
4. The cellular process of phagocytosis involves the extension of pseudopods, which are driven by the dynamic assembly of:
5. Keratins are a major class of intermediate filaments found in:
6. Which of the following is a key role of microtubules in maintaining cell polarity?
7. The protein spectrin is essential for maintaining the biconcave shape of red blood cells by linking actin filaments to:
8. Which of the following is a function of actin filaments in non-muscle cells?
9. The '9+2' arrangement of microtubules is characteristic of:
10. Which cytoskeletal element is primarily responsible for forming the stress fibers observed in cultured fibroblasts?
11. Taxol (paclitaxel) stabilizes microtubules, preventing their depolymerization. How does this affect cell division?
12. The drug colchicine binds to tubulin and inhibits microtubule polymerization. What would be a likely effect on a cell?
13. The drug cytochalasin B inhibits actin polymerization. What effect would this have on a cell?
14. Which component of the cytoskeleton is crucial for the formation of cell-cell junctions like desmosomes and hemidesmosomes?
15. The formation of the contractile ring during cytokinesis in animal cells is mediated by:
16. Coordinated movement of cilia and flagella relies on the sliding of microtubule doublets past each other, powered by:
17. Which cellular structure is essential for maintaining the shape of the red blood cell and is composed of spectrin, an actin-binding protein?
18. The nuclear lamina, a meshwork lining the inner nuclear membrane, is composed of which type of cytoskeletal filament?
19. Neurofilaments are intermediate filaments that provide structural support to:
20. Desmin is an intermediate filament protein found primarily in:
21. Which of the following is a characteristic of intermediate filament proteins?
22. Intermediate filaments are formed by the assembly of fibrous subunits into ropelike structures. What is a key characteristic of their assembly?
23. Cilia and flagella are motile structures built upon a core arrangement of microtubules known as a:
24. Which motor protein moves towards the minus end of microtubules, typically carrying cargo towards the cell center?
25. Which motor protein moves towards the plus end of microtubules, typically carrying cargo away from the cell center?
26. The centrosome, a major microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells, contains:
27. Which protein nucleates the formation of microtubules, often found in the centrosome?
28. The dynamic instability of microtubules refers to their rapid switching between periods of growth and shrinkage. This is primarily driven by:
29. Microtubule polymerization is a polarized process. Which end typically grows faster?
30. What are the two main types of tubulin subunits that form a tubulin heterodimer?
31. Microtubules are hollow cylinders formed from protofilaments, which are linear arrays of:
32. Which type of myosin is primarily involved in muscle contraction?
33. Myosin is a motor protein that interacts with actin filaments. What is its primary function?
34. The protein tropomyosin is associated with actin filaments and plays a role in:
35. Which protein is responsible for capping the plus end of actin filaments, preventing further polymerization?
36. What is the term for the dynamic process where actin filaments grow and shrink, often occurring at opposite ends?
37. Which end of an actin filament typically shows faster polymerization (growth)?
38. The polymerization of actin monomers (G-actin) into filaments (F-actin) is known as:
39. Which cytoskeletal component provides tracks for motor proteins like kinesin and dynein to transport organelles and vesicles?
40. What is the primary function of intermediate filaments in epithelial cells?
41. Intermediate filaments are a diverse group of proteins. Which of the following is NOT an example of an intermediate filament protein?
42. Which cytoskeletal component is known for its tensile strength and ability to withstand mechanical stress?
43. Microtubules play a crucial role in cell division by forming which structure?
44. What is the typical diameter of a microtubule?
45. Which protein is the major component of microtubules?
46. Actin filaments are dynamic structures involved in various cellular processes. Which of the following is NOT a primary role of actin filaments?
47. What is the diameter range of actin filaments (microfilaments)?
48. Which cytoskeletal component is primarily composed of the protein actin?
49. What are the three main types of cytoskeletal filaments?
50. Which of the following is the primary function of the cytoskeleton?