Question

Write about the intermediate filament.

Answer 1

Intermediate filaments (IFs):

1. These are cytoskeletal structural components present in the cells of vertebrates, and many invertebrates.
2. These are filaments that are intermediate in thickness between the microfilaments and microtubules.

Composition:

1. They are made up of of long subunits that are fibrous in nature known as keratin.
2. Keratin wound together as threads forming a rope.

Function:

1. In accordance with microtubules, intermediate filaments are important to maintain the structure and shape of the cells.
2. These filaments unlike the microtubules, resist tension among the cells.
3. These filaments help in the anchoring of the organelles together inside cells, and also join cells to other cells by the formation of cell-to-cell junctions.