Final answer:
Microtubules are small hollow tubes composed of polymerized dimers of α-tubulin and ß-tubulin. They provide structural support, act as tracks for vesicle transport, and aid in cell division. Microtubules are also involved in the formation of flagella and cilia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Microtubules are small hollow tubes composed of polymerized dimers of α-tubulin and ß-tubulin, two globular proteins. They have a diameter of about 25 nm and are the widest components of the cytoskeleton.
Microtubules serve several important functions in the cell, including providing structural support, acting as tracks along which vesicles move, and playing a role in cell division by pulling replicated chromosomes to opposite ends of a dividing cell.
Additionally, microtubules are involved in the formation of eukaryotic flagella and cilia, which are essential for cell movement.