Final answer:
Microtubule-Associated Proteins (MAPs) augment stability and support microtubule assembly, which is vital for maintaining cellular structure and facilitating chromosome separation during cell division.
Step-by-step explanation:
MAPs, or Microtubule-Associated Proteins, increase stability and promote microtubule assembly by linking tubulin subunits together. These proteins are crucial in maintaining the structural integrity of microtubules, which as part of the cytoskeleton, help cells resist compression. Furthermore, microtubules provide a track for vesicle movement and are essential during cell division as they ensure that replicated chromosomes are separated into two new daughter cells. Specifically, MAP-T (Tau) in neurons binds to and stabilizes microtubules. However, if tau becomes hyper-phosphorylated, it can lead to the disassembly of microtubules and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases by forming neurofibrillary tangles. The MAP kinase pathway also influences the expression of proteins that interact with microtubules, supporting processes like cell division.