What is cytoskeleton?

Question

Could someone please explain cytoskeleton? I been reading my biology textbook twice now and I still don't get what it is.

*Please explain it in as simple as possible*

Answer 1

Basically, there are different types of filaments that hold together the cell and give it shape.  It's kind of like the wooden beams that hold a house together, or the way our bodies are built around our skeletons.  There are microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.  If you want some information on each type, see the wikipedia article below.  

Answer 2

First, remember that all cells are basically tiny little bags of water.  You could imagine that they would be pretty floppy and not be able to hold their shape well.  

Well, this is true of some types of cells, but mostly cells need support to hold their shape.  

The "cyto" in skeleton refers the the "cytosol" which is the liquid part of the cell.  

"Skeleton" just refers to its job in supporting the shape of the cell.  

In a little more detail, the skeleton is made up of a system of microtubules and other types of "tubules" which are made of protein.  Microtubules are literally in the shape of hollow tubes, very tiny ones.  There are thousands of these "pipes" going to different places throughout the cell.  The cytoskeleton also serves as a type of superhighway for the cell.  Many chemicals and cargo can be transported along microtubules to different parts inside the cell.    

Answer 3

it's scaffolding for the cell.....a bunch of tubules made of smaller pieces that help hold the spherical shape of the cell

sort of like a bunch of poles holding up a tent (but in a spherical form)

Answer 4

The cytoskeleton is a network of fibers throughout the cell's cytoplasm that helps the cell maintain its shape and gives support to the cell.

the ballon in a water ballon, the shell to a pinata,