The Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is an organelle that's located throughout the cytoplasm. It's made of long fibers that are made of microtubules and microfilaments, and gives the cell structure and shape.
Microfilaments- Microfilaments are made of long, fine, thread-like protein fibers, mainly made of a protein called actin. They are involved in muscle contraction and cellular movements such as gliding and cytokinesis. (Below picture: Left)
Microtubules- Microtubules are cylindrical tubes that are made of the protein tubulin. They determine the shape of a cell and help move the organelles. The also help form the fibers that divide chromosomes during mitosis (cell division), and they can be arranged inside the flagella and cilia to help provide movement. (Below picture: Right)
The cytoskeleton works with the entire cell, not just any certain organelle. But, for specifics, it works the most with the cytoplasm, the cilia and flagella, and the nucleus during mitosis.
Microfilaments- Microfilaments are made of long, fine, thread-like protein fibers, mainly made of a protein called actin. They are involved in muscle contraction and cellular movements such as gliding and cytokinesis. (Below picture: Left)
Microtubules- Microtubules are cylindrical tubes that are made of the protein tubulin. They determine the shape of a cell and help move the organelles. The also help form the fibers that divide chromosomes during mitosis (cell division), and they can be arranged inside the flagella and cilia to help provide movement. (Below picture: Right)
The cytoskeleton works with the entire cell, not just any certain organelle. But, for specifics, it works the most with the cytoplasm, the cilia and flagella, and the nucleus during mitosis.
Centrioles
Also made of microtubules, specifically nine groups of them, centrioles help the cell finally divide during mitosis and meiosis. When at work, they usually work in pairs, sitting at right angles, then slowly pulling apart until they reach the end of the cell, pulling until it divides. They may also have little threads coming off of them during division, and they are called mitotic spindle.
When a cell is not dividing, however, the centrioles aren't as clearly defined near the nucleus. Instead, they are congregated in a group in the cytoplasm called the centrosome. When it comes time to divide, the centrioles become prominent and start moving to the ends of the cell.
The centrioles don't work with a specific organelle. They work with the entire cell when they help it divide.
When a cell is not dividing, however, the centrioles aren't as clearly defined near the nucleus. Instead, they are congregated in a group in the cytoplasm called the centrosome. When it comes time to divide, the centrioles become prominent and start moving to the ends of the cell.
The centrioles don't work with a specific organelle. They work with the entire cell when they help it divide.
Desmosomes
Desmosomes are adhesion structures that are made of multiple proteins. They are made in the cell's membrane and help with connecting other outside and adjacent cells. These connections are necessary for maintaining tissues and organs, especially ones that suffer from excessive stress, like the skin. The desmosome doesn't really work with an organelle other than the cell membrane, where they are made and where they connect other cells together.
Without the desmosomes, we wouldn't be alive. Or, rather, we'd just be piles of single cells.
Without the desmosomes, we wouldn't be alive. Or, rather, we'd just be piles of single cells.
Cilia & Flagella
The Cilia- Cilia are short, hair like extensions that come off of the cell membrane. They help to move water past the cell for slight movement, and they collect foreign objects so they are prevented from damaging the membrane or from entering the cell.
The Flagella- The flagella also extends from the cell membrane. However, unlike the cilia, the flagella is one long, thread-like structure that is involved in movement. It flows back and forth and propels the cell.
Both of these structures branch off of the cell membrane, so they are made of microtubules covered with a phospholipid bi-layer. The cilia and flagella work mainly with the cell membrane, since they both branch off of it. But, they also help the entire cell by moving it and protecting it from harmful items like pathogens.
The Flagella- The flagella also extends from the cell membrane. However, unlike the cilia, the flagella is one long, thread-like structure that is involved in movement. It flows back and forth and propels the cell.
Both of these structures branch off of the cell membrane, so they are made of microtubules covered with a phospholipid bi-layer. The cilia and flagella work mainly with the cell membrane, since they both branch off of it. But, they also help the entire cell by moving it and protecting it from harmful items like pathogens.