INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS Meaning and
Definition
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Intermediate filaments are a type of cytoskeletal protein structure found in the cells of various organisms, including animals, plants, and fungi. They form a crucial component of the cell's internal support system, providing mechanical stability and resistance to mechanical stress.
Intermediate filaments are distinguished from other cytoskeletal elements, such as microtubules and microfilaments, by their unique protein composition. They are composed of a family of fibrous proteins known as intermediate filament proteins (IFPs), which exhibit a diverse range of types and are categorized based on their expression patterns and cellular localization.
These filaments are called "intermediate" because they have an intermediate diameter range compared to the larger microtubules and thinner microfilaments. Their diameters typically range from 8 to 12 nanometers, and they possess a rope-like structure with high tensile strength.
Intermediate filaments serve various functions in the cell. They provide structural support and integrity to cells, helping maintain their shape and resistance to stretching or compression forces. They also play a significant role in maintaining the mechanical integrity of tissues and organs in multicellular organisms. In addition to their mechanical functions, intermediate filaments also participate in cellular processes such as cell adhesion, migration, and division.
Different types of intermediate filaments are found in different cell types, reflecting their specialization and functional diversity. For example, keratins are intermediate filaments found in epithelial cells, while vimentin and desmin are intermediate filaments found in connective tissue and muscle cells, respectively. The specific composition and organization of intermediate filaments can vary depending on cell type and can be altered in response to various cellular processes, environmental conditions, or disease states.
Common Misspellings for INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS
- untermediate filaments
- jntermediate filaments
- kntermediate filaments
- ontermediate filaments
- 9ntermediate filaments
- 8ntermediate filaments
- ibtermediate filaments
- imtermediate filaments
- ijtermediate filaments
- ihtermediate filaments
- inrermediate filaments
- infermediate filaments
- ingermediate filaments
- inyermediate filaments
- in6ermediate filaments
- in5ermediate filaments
- intwrmediate filaments
- intsrmediate filaments
- intdrmediate filaments
- intrrmediate filaments
Etymology of INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS
The term "Intermediate Filaments" was coined by the scientist Robert D. Goldman in the late 1970s. It combines two words to describe a specific type of cytoskeletal filaments found in eukaryotic cells.
The word "intermediate" refers to the fact that these filaments have a size between microfilaments (the thinnest filaments) and microtubules (the thickest filaments) that make up the cytoskeleton.
The word "filament" comes from the Latin word "filum", meaning "thread" or "wire". It describes a long, slender object, typically made of proteins, that forms a thread-like structure in the cell.
Therefore, "Intermediate Filaments" refers to the size and nature of these cytoskeletal components, which are thicker than microfilaments but thinner than microtubules.
