Practice question · Multiple choice
Intermediate filaments provide mechanical strength without dynamic turnover, unlike actin or tubulin. What consequence follows from this structural difference?
Hints
- Which roles in the lesson require tracks that rapidly rebuild and orient themselves?
- How does mechanical reinforcement differ from active intracellular transport?
Show the answer
C. They cannot support force-generating motor proteins
Why
Static scaffolds cannot sustain directional motor transport or rapid remodelling. Confusing filament stability with active force production misses that motors require polarised tracks; intermediate filaments lack dynamic polarity and tissue fragility stems directly from loss of tensile integrity.
Practise The Cytoskeleton
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More questions on The Cytoskeleton
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