is the name given to the skeleton of the cell.
The cytoskeleton gives a cell it’s shape and holds it together(and the organelles in it), just like the skeleton in your body holds you in shape. Without it, you would just be a pile of mush; so would be the cell.
Unlike the illustrations in many textbooks in which the organelles are shown to be freely floating in the cytoplasm, they are held together by the cytoskeleton which is not usually shown.
However, the cytoskeleton is not made up of the rigid bones our skeleton is made of.
The cytoskeleton is a dynamic structure.
This dynamic property of the skeleton enables the cell to carry out its functions according to its needs. This is crucial for the cell’s survival.
The cytoskeleton also maintains the movement and shape of cilia and flagella. It is responsible for muscle contraction too.
The cytoskeleton has three major components:
This image shows how each of the three components carry out their functions and collectively make up the cytoskeleton:
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