What is the cytoskeleton and its characteristics

What is the cytoskeleton and its characteristics

The cytoskeleton is a very dynamic protein structure in the form of a network that extends throughout the cell. Since our cells are always changing, the cytoskeleton plays the role of being a changing framework that allows the organization of all cellular components (organelles, substances, etc.). The role that this structure of the cell plays is crucial in cellular functions, since it not only acts as the bones of the cell, but is also like its muscles.

Some important characteristics about the cytoskeleton are the following:

• It is made up of 3 structural components , which are: microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments.
• Formed by protein filaments that are capable of being easily assembled and dismantled depending on cellular demands.
• The units that make up the cytoskeleton continually go from being attached to being loose in the cytosol .
• It is exclusive to animal and plant cells , however, it was found that prokaryotic cells also have a very similar cytoskeleton.