What is the cytoskeleton primarily composed of?

The cytoskeleton is primarily composed of protein filaments, which serve several crucial roles in maintaining the cell’s structure and facilitating cellular processes. These filaments include actin filaments (microfilaments), microtubules, and intermediate filaments.

Actin filaments are involved in movement and shape changes of the cell, while microtubules are vital for maintaining cell shape, providing tracks for organelle transport, and separating chromosomes during cell division. Intermediate filaments provide mechanical support to the cell and help maintain its integrity. The dynamic nature of these protein structures allows the cytoskeleton to respond to different cellular signals, enabling the cell to adapt to various conditions.

In contrast, DNA and RNA are nucleic acids involved in genetic information storage and transmission, as well as protein synthesis, but they do not contribute to the structural framework of the cell like protein filaments do. Carbohydrates, while important for cell recognition and signaling, are not the primary constituents of the cytoskeleton. Thus, the correct focus on protein filaments highlights their fundamental role in cellular architecture and function.