Microtubules Structure and Function

A microscopic tubular structure present in numbers in the cytoplasm of cells, sometimes aggregating to form more complex structures.

1. Microtubules
Essence Perry and
Emily Agreda
B-2/4

2. Microtubules Structure
Microtubules are essentially thick protein
tubes. Microtubules are bulky, strong
spirals of thousands of subunits. Those
subunits are made of the protein called
tubulin.
Structure:

3. Microtubules Function
Function:

Microtubules are the movers and shakers
of the cell interior. Microtubules are
threadlike, intracellular structures that
are responsible for various movements in
all eukaryotic cells. Microtubules are
involved in nucleic and cell division,
organization of intracellular structure,
and transport, as well cell motility.

4. Microtubules Continued...
❖Constructed from globular proteins called tubulins,
which are found only in eukaryotic cells
❖Assist in the movement of vesicles from the cell
bodies of neurons to the axonal tips and back to the
cell bodies.
❖Participate in the formation of the spindle during
cell division (mitosis)
❖Dynamics can also be altered by drugs: Docetaxel
blocks the production of tubulin. (Main protein in
microtubules)
❖Microtubules are hollow
❖Plural of Microtubules is Microtubuli

5. Sources Cited:
http://classes.kumc.
edu/som/cellbiology/cytoskeleton/micro
tubules/tut2.html

http://www.encyclopedia.
com/topic/microtubule.aspx

http://biology.about.
com/od/mitosisglossary/g/microtubules.
htm

http://www.ruf.rice.
edu/~bioslabs/studies/invertebrates/mic
rotubules.html