Final answer:
The microtubule arrangement in cilia and flagella is called an axoneme, characterized by a 9 + 2 array of microtubule doublets. The axoneme's microtubules, consisting of tubulin subunits, enable cellular movement and positioning of organelles, being essential for functions like locomotion and material transport.
Step-by-step explanation:
The arrangement of microtubules located in the matrix of cilia and flagella is called the axoneme, which exhibits a "9 + 2 array" structural pattern. This configuration consists of nine pairs of microtubules, referred to as doublets, arranged in a ring surrounding two central single microtubules. The axoneme is a critical component for the motion of cilia and flagella and is surrounded by the plasma membrane.
The robustness and functionality of these cellular appendages are attributed to the microtubules that form their core. Microtubules are made of tubulin protein subunits and play a vital role in cell structure, movement, and organelle positioning. Cilia facilitate important functions such as moving materials across cell surfaces, while flagella are essential for cell locomotion as seen in human sperm cells.