INTERMEDIATE FILAMENT Meaning and
Definition
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Intermediate filaments are a key component of the cytoskeleton, a structural network within cells that provides mechanical support and maintains their shape. These filamentous structures are composed of proteins and are intermediate in size, hence the name intermediate filaments. They form a network of intracellular fibers that extend throughout the cytoplasm, providing stability to cells and functioning as a scaffold for a variety of cellular processes.
Intermediate filaments are found in the cells of most animals, including humans, and are particularly abundant in cells that experience mechanical stress, such as muscle cells and cells of the skin and connective tissues. They are composed of a family of proteins known as intermediate filament proteins, which share common structural features and form a diverse set of filaments with distinct properties.
The primary function of intermediate filaments is to provide mechanical strength and resistance to mechanical stress. They enable cells to withstand external forces and maintain their shape by distributing applied forces across the cytoskeleton. Additionally, intermediate filaments are involved in cell-cell adhesion and play a crucial role in the maintenance of tissue integrity.
Abnormalities or mutations in intermediate filament proteins can lead to various diseases and disorders, known as intermediate filamentopathies, which affect different tissues and organs. Examples include epidermolysis bullosa simplex, a skin disorder characterized by blistering, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a peripheral neuropathy affecting the nerves in the limbs.
In summary, intermediate filaments are protein structures that make up the cytoskeleton of cells and provide mechanical strength, stability, and support to cells and tissues.
Common Misspellings for INTERMEDIATE FILAMENT
- untermediate filament
- jntermediate filament
- kntermediate filament
- ontermediate filament
- 9ntermediate filament
- 8ntermediate filament
- ibtermediate filament
- imtermediate filament
- ijtermediate filament
- ihtermediate filament
- inrermediate filament
- infermediate filament
- ingermediate filament
- inyermediate filament
- in6ermediate filament
- in5ermediate filament
- intwrmediate filament
- intsrmediate filament
- intdrmediate filament
- intrrmediate filament
Etymology of INTERMEDIATE FILAMENT
The word "intermediate" in "Intermediate Filament" is derived from the Latin word "intermedius", which means "in-between" or "located between".
The term "filament" comes from the Latin word "filum", meaning "thread" or "fiber".
When these two words are combined, "intermediate filament" refers to a type of structural protein within cells that forms a network of fibers that provides mechanical support and stability to cells. The "intermediate" in this context indicates that these filaments are of intermediate size, lying between smaller microfilaments and larger microtubules in terms of their diameter.
Idioms with the word INTERMEDIATE FILAMENT
