What is a cytoskeleton? What are its main components in animal cells?

A cytoskeleton is a structure that acts as a support for the cell. It also maintains the cell shape, holds and moves organelles. It is made from a fibre network dispered in the cell cytoplasm, attached in the plasma membrane. The cytoskeleton has three components; microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments. Each of these components have sub-divisions and functions of their own. For example, microtubules are heavily invovled with mitosis and form the mitotic spindle fibre, used by eukaryotes to segregate chromosomes during cell division.

BH
Answered by Bethany H. Biology tutor

10952 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the process of Eutrophication.


How does muscle contraction work?


Explain how 2 different types of mutations in a gene can result in the loss of an enzyme's function


Describe how blood is pumped around the heart and the body.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning