Question

Which of the following statements about the cytoskeleton is TRUE?

a. Protein monomers of cytoskeletons are held together with non-covalent bonds form filaments or tubules.
b. The cytoskeleton provides a rigid and unchangeable structure important for the shape of the cell.
c. Actin filaments and microtubules have an inherent polarity, with a plus end that grows slower than the minus end.
d. All eukaryotic cells have actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments in their cytoplasm.
e. The three cytoskeletal filaments perform distinct tasks in the cell and act completely independently of one another.

Answer 1

The true statement about the cytoskeleton is that protein monomers are held together with non-covalent bonds to form filaments or tubules, which supports a dynamic cellular structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

To address the question of which statement about the cytoskeleton is TRUE, let's review the options given. The correct statement is (a) "Protein monomers of cytoskeletons are held together with non-covalent bonds to form filaments or tubules." This refers to how the cytoskeleton is constructed of various protein monomers such as actin (which forms microfilaments) and tubulin (which forms microtubules), held together by non-covalent bonds. Contrary to the rigid and unchangeable structure mentioned in option (b), the cytoskeleton is highly dynamic and constantly reorganizes itself to accommodate the changing needs of the cell.

Regarding the other options, although actin filaments and microtubules exhibit polarity, their plus ends typically grow faster than their minus ends, which contradicts statement (c). Not all eukaryotic cells contain intermediate filaments as stated in option (d), and finally, the cytoskeleton's components do interact and cooperate, challenging the accuracy of option (e).