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Ch. 3 The Cell
Amerman- Human Anatomy & Physiology 3e
Amerman3rd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138247201, 9780138247928, 9780138201814Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 11a

Mark the following statements about the cytoskeleton as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
Actin filaments combine with myosin motor proteins to provide the cell with mechanical strength.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of actin filaments in the cytoskeleton. Actin filaments are thin protein fibers that play a key role in maintaining the cell's shape, enabling cell movement, and participating in intracellular transport.
Recall the interaction between actin filaments and myosin motor proteins. Actin filaments interact with myosin to facilitate cellular processes such as muscle contraction and intracellular transport, but they do not primarily provide mechanical strength to the cell.
Evaluate the statement: 'Actin filaments combine with myosin motor proteins to provide the cell with mechanical strength.' This statement is false because the primary role of actin filaments and myosin is to generate movement and force, not to provide mechanical strength.
Correct the false statement: A true statement would be, 'Actin filaments combine with myosin motor proteins to generate movement and force within the cell.'
Review the corrected statement to ensure it aligns with the functions of actin filaments and myosin motor proteins in the cytoskeleton.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cytoskeleton Structure

The cytoskeleton is a dynamic network of protein filaments and tubules that provides structural support, shape, and organization to the cell. It consists of three main components: microfilaments (actin filaments), intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Each component plays a distinct role in maintaining cell integrity and facilitating cellular processes.
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Introduction to the Cytoskeleton

Actin Filaments

Actin filaments, or microfilaments, are thin protein fibers that are crucial for various cellular functions, including maintaining cell shape, enabling motility, and facilitating cell division. They interact with myosin motor proteins to generate contractile forces, which are essential for muscle contraction and other cellular movements.
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Guided course
6:26
Sliding Filament Theory

Myosin Motor Proteins

Myosin is a type of motor protein that interacts with actin filaments to produce movement within cells. It converts chemical energy from ATP hydrolysis into mechanical work, allowing for processes such as muscle contraction, cell motility, and intracellular transport. The interaction between actin and myosin is fundamental to many cellular activities.
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Proteins
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Explain how the members of the endomembrane system interact.

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Textbook Question

Match the following terms with the correct functions.

Peroxisome     

Ribosome     

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum     

Mitochondrion     

Golgi apparatus     

Lysosome     

Rough endoplasmic reticulum     

Vesicle

a. Modifies and folds proteins into the correct structure

b. Modifies, packages, and sorts proteins

c. Contains digestive enzymes

d. Granular organelle that makes proteins

e. Synthesizes most of a cell’s ATP

f. Contains enzymes that oxidize toxins and fatty acids

g. Membrane-enclosed structure used to transport substances through the cell

h. Detoxifies certain chemicals, makes lipids, stores calcium ions

Textbook Question

Mark the following statements about the cytoskeleton as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

Microtubules are hollow tubes that align organelles and shuttle them to their proper places in the cell.

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Textbook Question

A hypotonic solution will cause water to move ________the cell, and the cell will ______.

A hypertonic solution will cause water to move ______the cell, and the cell will ________.

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Textbook Question

Mark the following statements about the cytoskeleton as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

The cilia found on sperm cells propel the cells through a liquid medium.

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Textbook Question

Mark the following statements about the cytoskeleton as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

Intermediate filaments are ropelike structures composed of tubulin proteins.

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