What is the function of micro-tubules?

Answer 1

When it comes to mitosis, this process is facilitated by a subgroup of microtubules known as astral microtubules, which are microtubules originating from the centrosome that do not connect to a kinetochore. Astral microtubules develop in the actin skeleton and interact with the cell cortex to aid in orientation of spindles during cell division. They are organized around the centrosomes into radial arrays. Astral microtubules function in in tandem with specialized dynein motors, which are oriented with the light chain portion attached to the cell membrane and the dynamic portion which is attached to the microtubule. This allows for dynein contraction to pull the centrosome towards the cell membrane, thus assisting in cytokinesis in plants and animals.

Microtubules act as conveyer belts inside cells. They help to move vesicles, granules and organelles like mitochondria, and chromosomes via special attachment proteins. Vesicles get attached to microtubule associated proteins and move along the microtubule conveyer belt. The microtubule associated proteins include kinesins and dynein which move along the microtubules in opposite directions. Kinesins move vesicles along towards the plus end and dynein moves towards the minus end. This is how vesicles are moved from one region to another. This is active transport and hence, requires the breakdown of ATP, though it is not yet known how the energy from ATP breakdown is converted into vectorial transport.

Also, it is microtubules that join with other proteins to form more complex structures called cilia, flagella or centrioles. Microtubules also play a role in maintaining the cytoskeleton, that is, the basic structure of the cell. This is because, structurally, they are linear polymers of tubulin which is a globular protein present in the cytoplasm. Read more on cytoplasm function in a cell.

This was all about the structure and function of microtubules in a cell. Microtubules functioning and formation can be disrupted by the use of certain drugs. This is the basis of using certain drugs like colchicine which help to treat cancer. These drugs inhibit polymerization by binding to tubulin and preventing its addition to the (+) ends.

{ Q. Does anyone know .... what do the microtubules form between the centrioles? A. They form Bridges. }

Answer 2

When it comes to mitosis, this process is facilitated by a subgroup of microtubules known as astral microtubules, which are microtubules originating from the centrosome that do not connect to a kinetochore. Astral microtubules develop in the actin skeleton and interact with the cell cortex to aid in orientation of spindles during cell division. They are organized around the centrosomes into radial arrays. Astral microtubules function in in tandem with specialized dynein motors, which are oriented with the light chain portion attached to the cell membrane and the dynamic portion which is attached to the microtubule. This allows for dynein contraction to pull the centrosome towards the cell membrane, thus assisting in cytokinesis in plants and animals.

Microtubules act as conveyer belts inside cells. They help to move vesicles, granules and organelles like mitochondria, and chromosomes via special attachment proteins. Vesicles get attached to microtubule associated proteins and move along the microtubule conveyer belt. The microtubule associated proteins include kinesins and dynein which move along the microtubules in opposite directions. Kinesins move vesicles along towards the plus end and dynein moves towards the minus end. This is how vesicles are moved from one region to another. This is active transport and hence, requires the breakdown of ATP, though it is not yet known how the energy from ATP breakdown is converted into vectorial transport.

Also, it is microtubules that join with other proteins to form more complex structures called cilia, flagella or centrioles. Microtubules also play a role in maintaining the cytoskeleton, that is, the basic structure of the cell. This is because, structurally, they are linear polymers of tubulin which is a globular protein present in the cytoplasm. Read more on cytoplasm function in a cell.

This was all about the structure and function of microtubules in a cell. Microtubules functioning and formation can be disrupted by the use of certain drugs. This is the basis of using certain drugs like colchicine which help to treat cancer. These drugs inhibit polymerization by binding to tubulin and preventing its addition to the (+) ends.

{ Q. Does anyone know .... what do the microtubules form between the centrioles? A. They form Bridges. }

Answer 3

Functions of microtubule: 1 they help in maintain cell shape, 2 are involved with microfillamets in cell movements, and 3 participate in intracellular transport process.