Microtubule/Tubulin

Microtubules are cylindrical structures that are part of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells. They are composed of tubulin, which is a protein that polymerizes into long chains or filaments. Each microtubule is formed by a helical arrangement of protofilaments made of alpha and beta tubulin dimers. These structures are crucial for various cellular functions including maintaining cell shape, enabling cellular motility through flagella and cilia, and facilitating intracellular transport of organelles and vesicles. Microtubules are also vital during cell division, where they form the mitotic spindle responsible for segregating chromosomes into daughter cells. The dynamic assembly and disassembly of microtubules are critical for their function in the cell.