MICROFILAMENT Meaning and
Definition
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Microfilament is a term used in biology and cell biology to refer to the smallest components of the cytoskeleton, a network of filaments that provide structural support and facilitate various cellular processes in eukaryotic cells. Microfilaments, also known as actin filaments, are thin, rod-like structures made up of protein subunits known as actin monomers. These filaments typically have a diameter of about 7 nanometers and can be found throughout the cytoplasm of cells.
Microfilaments are involved in numerous cellular functions, including cell division, cell movement, and maintaining cell shape. They play a crucial role in muscle contraction, as the interactions between actin and myosin proteins allow muscles to contract and generate force. Microfilaments are also responsible for the formation of pseudopodia, extensions of the cell membrane that help cells move and engulf particles.
The organization and dynamics of microfilaments are tightly regulated and can be altered in response to various signals. Changes in the arrangement and stability of microfilaments are essential for processes such as cell migration and morphogenesis. The assembly and disassembly of microfilaments are controlled by a wide range of actin-binding proteins, which help regulate the spatial and temporal distribution of microfilaments within the cell.
In summary, microfilaments are slender protein filaments found in the cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells. They are involved in a variety of cellular processes, including cell movement, cell division, and muscle contraction. Their assembly and disassembly are tightly regulated, and they are essential for maintaining the shape and functionality of cells.
Common Misspellings for MICROFILAMENT
- nicrofilament
- kicrofilament
- jicrofilament
- mucrofilament
- mjcrofilament
- mkcrofilament
- mocrofilament
- m9crofilament
- m8crofilament
- mixrofilament
- mivrofilament
- mifrofilament
- midrofilament
- miceofilament
- micdofilament
- micfofilament
- mictofilament
- mic5ofilament
- mic4ofilament
- micrifilament
Etymology of MICROFILAMENT
The word "microfilament" is derived from two components: "micro-" and "filament".
The prefix "micro-" originates from the Greek word "mikros", meaning "small" or "tiny". It is commonly used in scientific and technical terminology to denote something extremely small.
The term "filament" comes from the Latin word "filum", meaning "thread" or "fiber". It refers to a slender, elongated structure that can be found in various contexts, such as a thread of a fabric, a wire, or a slender structure within a living organism.
Combining the two elements, "microfilament" refers to a small or tiny filament-like structure. In the field of biology, it specifically refers to the cytoskeletal filamentous structures found in eukaryotic cells, which are crucial for cell shape, movement, and other cellular processes.
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