ACTIN MICROFILAMENT Meaning and
Definition
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Actin microfilaments, also known as actin filaments or actin fibers, are a crucial component of the cytoskeleton, which is the structural framework within the cells of living organisms. Actin microfilaments are composed of actin monomers, which are small globular protein subunits that polymerize to form long, thin filaments. They are primarily found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, where they play a fundamental role in various cellular processes.
The actin microfilaments provide mechanical support and maintain cell shape, helping cells to maintain their structural integrity. They are involved in cell motility, providing the contractile force necessary for cellular movements such as cell crawling and muscle contraction. Actin microfilaments also participate in cell division, aiding in the formation of the contractile ring required for cytokinesis.
Additionally, actin microfilaments are crucial for intracellular transport and organelle movement by interacting with motor proteins, enabling the transportation of vesicles and other cellular components along the cytoskeleton. They also play a role in cell adhesion and cell-cell communication, as they form the basis for cell junctions and facilitate the attachment of cells to their extracellular environment.
Overall, actin microfilaments are dynamic structures that are constantly assembling and disassembling in response to cellular signals. Their versatile nature and essential functions make them indispensable for numerous cellular processes.
Common Misspellings for ACTIN MICROFILAMENT
- zctin microfilament
- sctin microfilament
- wctin microfilament
- qctin microfilament
- axtin microfilament
- avtin microfilament
- aftin microfilament
- adtin microfilament
- acrin microfilament
- acfin microfilament
- acgin microfilament
- acyin microfilament
- ac6in microfilament
- ac5in microfilament
- actun microfilament
- actjn microfilament
- actkn microfilament
- acton microfilament
- act9n microfilament
- act8n microfilament
Etymology of ACTIN MICROFILAMENT
The word "actin" in "actin microfilament" comes from the Greek word "aktis", meaning "ray" or "beam". This is because actin microfilaments are long, thin structures that radiate out from the cell nucleus.
"Microfilament" is a compound word composed of "micro", meaning small, and "filament", which originates from the Latin word "filum", meaning "thread". The term "microfilament" is used to describe the thin, thread-like structures formed by actin proteins within a cell.
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