What type of filaments lend strength to the cell and are common in damaged cells like skin?

Study for the SACE Stage 2 Biology Exam. Enhance your understanding with quizzes, interactive flashcards, and detailed explanations. Be fully prepared for your exam success!

Intermediate filaments are crucial components of the cytoskeleton that provide structural stability and strength to cells. They are particularly important in cells that experience mechanical stress, such as skin cells. This type of filament helps maintain the integrity of the cell under tension and pressure, making them especially prominent in areas of tissue that are prone to damage.

In skin cells, intermediate filaments, which include proteins like keratin, offer resilience against various physical stresses, protecting the cells during injuries or abrasions. Their role in maintaining the shape and structural integrity of cells is vital for supporting tissues and ensuring that they function properly, especially in the epidermis where cells are often subjected to wear and tear.

Other filaments, such as microfilaments and microtubules, serve different functions; microfilaments primarily support cell movement and shape, while microtubules are involved in cell division and intracellular transport. Cytoplasm filaments is not a standard term used in cell biology, as the correct terms for filament types are typically microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Thus, the prominence of intermediate filaments in providing strength and support to damaged cells, particularly in tissues such as skin, makes them the correct choice for this question.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy