intermediate filament

References

intermediate filament

biology

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Learn about this topic in these articles:

cell
Intermediate filaments
Intermediate filaments are so named because they are thicker than actin filaments and thinner than microtubules or muscle myosin filaments. The subunits of intermediate filaments are elongated, not globular, and are associated in an antipolar manner. As a result, the overall filament has…
Read More
Intermediate filaments are so named because they are thicker than actin filaments and thinner than microtubules or muscle myosin filaments. The subunits of intermediate filaments are elongated, not globular, and are associated in an antipolar manner. As a result, the overall filament has…
Read More

cytoskeleton
Intermediate filaments, in contrast to actin filaments and microtubules, are very stable structures that form the true skeleton of the cell. They anchor the nucleus and position it within the cell, and they give the cell its elastic properties and its ability to withstand tension.
Read More
Intermediate filaments, in contrast to actin filaments and microtubules, are very stable structures that form the true skeleton of the cell. They anchor the nucleus and position it within the cell, and they give the cell its elastic properties and its ability to withstand tension.
Read More