Final answer:
Intermediate filaments are ropelike structures that are part of the cytoskeleton, providing structural support to cells and helping to maintain their shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intermediate filaments are C. Ropelike structures. They are composed of several strands of fibrous proteins that are wound together, giving them a diameter between those of microfilaments and microtubules. They play a key role in maintaining cell shape, supporting cellular structures, and bearing tension within the cell.
Intermediate filaments are crucial for anchoring the nucleus and other organelles and providing structural support to the cell, especially in the face of mechanical stress. They are also important in maintaining cell-to-cell connections such as in desmosomes. These filaments are made from different proteins, including keratin, which provides strength to hair, nails, and skin.