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The Cytoskeleton
Cytoskeleton is a system of system of microscopic filaments or fibers, present in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells , that organizes other cell components, maintains cell shape, and is responsible for cell locomotion and for movement of the organelles within it. All cells have different shape. The cytoskeleton determines the shape of the cell. The cytoskeleton makes the cell move. It's composed out of a variety of filaments and fibers that support the structure and drives the cell movement. One of the main components of the cytoskeleton is microtubules. Microtubules are tubules made out of proteins. They provide the support for cell shape and help move organelles through the cell.Another component of the cytoskeleton are microfilaments, which are long, thin fibers that function aid movement and support of the cell. They also permit movement of the cytoplasm within the cell. Three major types of filaments make up the cytoskeleton: actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Acting filaments occur as constantly changing bundles of parallel fibers; they help determine cell shape, help the cell adhere to surfaces, help the cell move, and assist in cell division during mitosis. Intermediate filaments are very stable structures that form the cell's true skeleton; they anchor the nucleus within the cell and give the cell its elastic properties. They are about 10nm in diameter.