Microtubule facts for kids
Microtubules are found in biological cells as a part of the cytoskeleton. They are hollow tubes whose walls consist of 13 columns of tubulin molecules. Its main functions are to maintain a cell's shape, cell motility, chromosome movement in cell division, and organelle movement. They look like hollow noodles which transmit signals to our nerves
Images for kids
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Microtubule and tubulin metrics
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Cartoon representation of the structure of α(yellow)/β(red)-tubulin heterodimer, GTP and GDP.
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Components of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton. Actin filaments are shown in red, microtubules are in green, and the nuclei are in blue. The cystoskeleton provides the cell with an inner framework and enables it to move and change shape.
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Image of a fibroblast cell containing fluorescently labeled actin (red) and microtubules (green).
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A cytoplasmic dynein motor bound to a microtubule.
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A kinesin molecule bound to a microtubule.
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A 3D diagram of a centriole. Each circle represents one microtubule. In total there are 27 microtubules organized into 9 bundles of 3.
See also
In Spanish: Microtúbulo para niños
