Final answer:
Intermediate filaments are vital structural components of cells that bear tension, maintain cell shape, and anchor organelles in place. They are made of fibrous proteins such as keratin, are intermediate in size between microfilaments and microtubules, and are especially important in cells subjected to physical stress.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intermediate filaments are a crucial cytoskeletal component of a cell, primarily involved in providing structural support. Composed of intertwined strands of fibrous proteins, largely keratin, their primary role is to bear tension and maintain the cell's integrity under stress. Intermediate filaments are also pivotal in maintaining the cell's shape, supporting cell-cell junctions, and anchoring cells to extracellular structures to withstand mechanical stresses such as pulling forces.
With a diameter ranging from 8 to 10 nm, intermediate filaments are thicker than microfilaments but thinner than microtubules. In addition to keeping the cell shape consistent, they create a scaffold inside the cell that stabilizes and holds organelles like the nucleus in place. These filaments offer resilience against tensile forces that could otherwise deform or damage the cell.