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Microtubules vs. Microfilaments

The main difference between microtubules and microfilaments is that microtubules are formed of tubulin protein units and normally are long, and hollow cylinders, whereas microfilaments are produced by actin proteins, and usually are double-stranded helical polymers.

Key Differences

Microtubules resist bending forces and are stiff in strength; on the contrary, microfilaments are relatively strong and flexible and resist filament fracture by tensile forces and resist buckling due to compressive forces.
Microtubules help plant cells in performing their proper functioning like various cell transportation purposes and mitosis; on the contrary, microfilaments help plant cells to move.
Samantha Walker
Sep 14, 2019
Microtubules are 24 nm in diameter while microfilaments are 7 nm in diameter.
The tubulin protein subunits alpha and beta made of microtubules; on the other hand, the contractile protein which is known as actin protein mainly produce microfilaments.
Microtubules are structurally helical lattice, whereas microfilaments are a double helix.
Microtubules occur in basal bodies, cilia/flagella, centrioles, astral rays, and spindle fibers; on the flip side, microfilaments occur at the interphase of plasma gel-plasma sol and below cell membrane.
Samantha Walker
Sep 14, 2019
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Associated proteins regulating the dynamics of microtubules are MAPs, +TIPs, and motor proteins; conversely, proteins involved in the regulation of the dynamics of microfilaments are filament cross-linkers, actin monomer-binding proteins, actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex, and filament-severing proteins.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 14, 2019
A single microtubule contains 13 proto-filaments; conversely, microfilaments are structurally solid.

Comparison Chart

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The polymers of tubulin protein that form the part of the cytoskeleton and gives shape and structure to plant cell are microtubules.
Also called actin filaments that form the part of the cytoskeleton and are present in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells composed of polymers of actin are microfilaments.

Structure

Helical lattice
Double-helix

Diameter

24 nm
7 nm

Composition

Composed of alpha and beta subunits of tubulin protein
Composed of a contractile protein called actin protein
Aimie Carlson
Sep 14, 2019
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Strength

Resist bending forces and are stiff in strength
Relatively strong and flexible and resist filament fracture by tensile forces and resist buckling due to compressive forces

Functions

Help plant cells in proper functioning such as mitosis and various cell transport functions
Help plant cells to move
Aimie Carlson
Sep 14, 2019

Associated Proteins

MAPs, +TIPs, and motor proteins
Filament cross-linkers, actin monomer-binding proteins, actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex, and filament-severing proteins

Occurrence

In basal bodies, cilia/flagella, centrioles, astral rays, and spindle fibers
At the interphase of plasma gel-plasma sol and below the cell membrane
Aimie Carlson
Sep 14, 2019

Microtubules and Microfilaments Definitions

Microtubules

Any of the cylindrical hollow tubulin-containing structures that are found in the cytoplasm, cilia, and flagella of eukaryotic cells and are involved in determining cell shape and structure and directing the movement of organelles and chromosomes. Microtubules, along with microfilaments and intermediate filaments, make up a cell's cytoskeleton.

Microfilaments

Any of the actin-containing filaments that are found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells and are involved in generating cell movement, providing structural support, and organizing internal cell components. Microfilaments, along with intermediate filaments and microtubules, make up a cell's cytoskeleton.
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Microtubules

Plural of microtubule

Microfilaments

Plural of microfilament

Microtubules vs. Microfilaments

Microtubules are structurally helical lattice, whereas microfilaments are a double helix. Microtubules are 24 nm in diameter while microfilaments are 7 nm in diameter. Alpha and beta subunits of tubulin protein made microtubules; on the other hand, microfilaments are mainly composed of a contractile protein called actin protein. Microtubules resist bending forces and are stiff in strength; on the contrary, microfilaments are relatively strong and flexible and resist filament fracture by tensile forces and resist buckling due to compressive forces. Microtubules help plant cells in performing their proper functioning like various cell transportation purposes and mitosis; on the contrary, microfilaments help plant cells to move. Associated proteins regulating the dynamics of microtubules are MAPs, +TIPs, and motor proteins; conversely, proteins involved in the regulation of the dynamics of microfilaments are filament cross-linkers, actin monomer-binding proteins, actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex, and filament-severing proteins. Microtubules occur in basal bodies, cilia/flagella, centrioles, astral rays, and spindle fibers; on the flip side, microfilaments occur at the interphase of plasma gel-plasma sol and below cell membrane. A single microtubule contains 13 proto-filaments; conversely, microfilaments are structurally solid.

What are Microtubules?

The polymers of tubulin protein that form the part of the cytoskeleton and gives shape and structure to plant cell are microtubules. Microtubules are 24 nm in diameter. Alpha and beta subunits of tubulin protein made microtubules. Microtubules allow cellular transport along with motor proteins and are capable of generating forces by contracting. Actin filaments and the microtubules offer an internal structure to the cytoskeleton and make cytoskeleton to alter its shape while moving. A particular microtubule consists of thirteen proto-filaments. Actin filaments are marked with red dye, while microtubules are marked with green dye, and nuclei are marked in blue dye. Microtubules form a spindle apparatus by involving in the chromosomal segregation during meiosis and mitosis. Microtubules are nucleated in the centromere which is the MTOCs (microtubule organizing centers) to form the spindle apparatus. Microtubules occur in basal bodies, cilia/flagella, centrioles, astral rays, and spindle fibers. Microtubules resist bending forces and are stiff in strength, and they allow gene regulation of transcription factors through specific expressions. They control the cell structure in the plant body. They also provide conveyance for various vesicles having important materials to the rest of the cell. Associated proteins regulating the dynamics of microtubules are MAPs, +TIPs, and motor proteins.

What are Microfilaments?

Also called actin filaments that form the part of the cytoskeleton and are present in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells composed of polymers of actin are microfilaments. Microfilaments are almost 7 nm in distance with a coil of double-helix that recaps after every 37 nm. Microfilaments are mainly made up of contractile protein which is called as actin protein and two strands in a helical structure. Microfilaments are considered as the highest fibers present in the cytoskeleton. Microfilaments are involved in cell motility like amoeboid movement and cytokinesis. Normally microfilaments play a vital role in cell contractility, cell shape, mechanical stability, endocytosis, and exocytosis. In muscle cells, actin filaments are associated, and myosin proteins produce forces to backing muscle contraction on the filaments. Microfilaments are relatively strong and flexible and resist filament fracture by tensile forces and resist buckling due to compressive forces. Proteins presents in the maintenance of the changing aspects of microfilaments are filament cross-linkers, actin monomer-binding proteins, actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex, filament-severing proteins, filament-end tracking protein, filament barbed-end cappers like CapG, and depolymerizing actin proteins. Microfilaments occur at the interphase of plasma gel-plasma sol and below cell membrane, and they are structurally solid.

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