Final answer:
The false statement about the cytoskeleton is that it is found only in plant cells. The cytoskeleton is a component of all eukaryotic cells and is vital for maintaining cell shape, movement, and division. It includes microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cytoskeleton in Eukaryotic Cells
The statement that is false regarding the cellular cytoskeleton is: It is found only in plant cells. This claim is incorrect as the cytoskeleton is a fundamental component of all eukaryotic cells, which includes animal, plant, fungi, and protist cells. It is composed of three main kinds of protein-based filaments: microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments, all of which have various roles in maintaining cell structure, providing cellular movement, and assisting in cell division.
Microtubules are composed of tubulin and are involved in maintaining cell shape and structure, resisting compression, positioning organelles within the cell, and facilitating cell motility through structures like cilia and flagella. For example, cilia move rhythmically to transport materials, while the flagellum is an appendage specialized for cell locomotion, such as with sperm cells in humans. The cytoskeleton is also dynamic, being able to reassemble and rearrange to allow for changes in cell shape and movement.