Final answer:
Intermediate filaments lack polarity and are non-polar, differing from other elements of the cytoskeleton such as microtubules and microfilaments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assembled filament lacks polarity, which distinguishes intermediate filaments from other cytoskeletal elements such as microtubules and microfilaments. Intermediate filaments are unique because they do not have 'plus' and 'minus' ends, meaning they are non-polar. These filamentous structures are made from long, fibrous subunits of a protein called keratin, which are wound together similarly to the threads in a rope. Their main role is to confer tensile strength, resist tension, maintain cell shape, and anchor organelles and cells to each other, rather than participating in dynamic activities like movement or mitosis.