Final answer:
The claim that intermediate filaments are about 10 um in diameter is false; they are actually between 8 to 10 nm in diameter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that each intermediate filament is about 10 um in diameter is false. Intermediate filaments are components of the cytoskeleton and are important for maintaining cell shape and providing structural support. Their diameter is actually between 8 to 10 nanometers (nm), which is much smaller than 10 micrometers (um). Intermediate filaments are composed of fibrous proteins like keratin, and they perform various functions, including resisting cell tension, anchoring organelles, and forming cell-to-cell junctions such as desmosomes in animal tissues.