microfilament
Tiny protein strand
Microfilaments are the thinnest protein fibers in a cell's internal scaffolding, made primarily of actin.
They give cells their shape, enable movement, and help with division.
In muscle cells, microfilaments interact with myosin to produce contraction.
The microfilaments reorganized as the cell began to crawl toward the wound site.
Contractile actin-myosin bundles in cells
- microvilliMicroscopic membrane protrusions
- leading edgeForemost position in development
- rufflesPleated ornamental trim
Cellular contractile protein
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- depolymerizationPolymer breakdown into monomers
- nucleationInitial cluster formation
- cross-linkingBonds joining parallel chains
bundling · branching · helical · monomer · polymer · assembly · disassembly · severing
Cytoplasmic division after mitosis
- contractilityAbility to shorten actively
- endocytosisCell engulfs external material
- exocytosisVesicular release from cells
- phagocytosisCellular ingestion of particles
Stretched or strained state
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- rigidityState of being unbending
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- contractileAble to shrink or tighten
viscoelastic · stiffness · load-bearing · resilience · deformation · remodeling
stress fibers
Contractile actin-myosin bundles in cells
- microvilliMicroscopic membrane protrusions
- leading edgeForemost position in development
- rufflesPleated ornamental trim
actin
Cellular contractile protein
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- depolymerizationPolymer breakdown into monomers
- nucleationInitial cluster formation
cross-linking · bundling · branching · helical · monomer · polymer · assembly · disassembly · severing · capping
myosin
Motor protein enabling contraction
- WASPAnglo establishment shorthand
cytokinesis
Cytoplasmic division after mitosis
- contractilityAbility to shorten actively
- endocytosisCell engulfs external material
- exocytosisVesicular release from cells
phagocytosis · cell division · wound healing · muscle contraction
tension
Stretched or strained state
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- rigidityState of being unbending
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
contractile · viscoelastic · stiffness · load-bearing · resilience · deformation · remodeling