actin
Cytoskeleton building block
Actin is a protein found in muscle tissue and other cells, where it forms filaments that enable contraction and movement.
Along with myosin, actin is fundamental to how muscles work—the two proteins slide past each other to produce force.
Actin filaments also help cells maintain their shape and move.
Ultrathin cellular protein fiber
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- nucleationInitial cluster formation
- depolymerizationPolymer breakdown into monomers
- monomerChain-forming molecule
Contractile actin-myosin bundles in cells
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
- structural supportElement bearing weight
- microvilliMicroscopic membrane protrusions
- cytokinesisCytoplasmic division after mitosis
Motor protein enabling contraction
Movement toward chemical cues
- wound healingRestoration after injury
- leading edgeForemost position in development
- metastasisCancer spreading beyond origin
microfilament
Ultrathin cellular protein fiber
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- nucleationInitial cluster formation
- depolymerizationPolymer breakdown into monomers
monomer · severing · cross-linking · branching · bundling
stress fibers
Contractile actin-myosin bundles in cells
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
- structural supportElement bearing weight
- microvilliMicroscopic membrane protrusions
myosin
Motor protein enabling contraction
- troponinMuscle regulatory protein complex
- striatedMarked with parallel grooves
- cardiacPertaining to the heart
skeletal · smooth muscle · power stroke · contraction · relaxation
chemotaxis
Movement toward chemical cues
- wound healingRestoration after injury
- leading edgeForemost position in development
- metastasisCancer spreading beyond origin
WASP
Anglo establishment shorthand
- WAVEAudio file type
- muscle systemmuscle, biceps, triceps, deltoid, deltoids
- Biochemicalsamino acid, amino acids, protein, proteins, DNA
- cell biologycell membrane, cell division, cytoplasm, ribosome, mitochondria
- proteinsprotein, proteins, albumin, collagen, casein
- Microscopicbacterium, virus, amoeba, paramecium, microbe
- meat sciencemyoglobin, collagen, muscle fibers, rigor mortis, marbling
actintubulin
Microtubule protein component
collagen · keratin · microtubules · elastin
- acting upBehaving badly or failing
- method actorPerformer inhabiting roles completely
- take actionBegin doing something
- in actionActively performing a task
- action movieHigh-adrenaline cinema
- action figuresJointed miniature character toys
action, actor, acting, activity, actress, acts, reaction, acted, activate