What role do intermediate filaments play in a cell?

What role do intermediate filaments play in a cell?

• A. Contain genetic material
• B. Provide shape and support; anchor cells to each other and extracellular material; compartmentalize cell contents
• C. Drive cell movement
• D. Transport nutrients across the membrane

Answer: (B)

Intermediate filaments provide structural support and organization for the cell. They form a strong, rope-like network that helps the cell retain its shape and resist mechanical stress. They anchor the nucleus and other organelles in place and connect to cell–cell junctions and cell–matrix attachments, which strengthens tissues and helps keep cells in the proper arrangement. This network also helps organize the cytoplasm, contributing to stable compartmentalization of cellular contents. Genetic material is housed in the nucleus, not in intermediate filaments. The movement of cells is driven mainly by actin filaments and microtubules, not by intermediate filaments. Nutrient transport across membranes relies on membrane proteins and vesicle traffic, not the filament scaffold.

Intermediate filaments provide structural support and organization for the cell. They form a strong, rope-like network that helps the cell retain its shape and resist mechanical stress. They anchor the nucleus and other organelles in place and connect to cell–cell junctions and cell–matrix attachments, which strengthens tissues and helps keep cells in the proper arrangement. This network also helps organize the cytoplasm, contributing to stable compartmentalization of cellular contents.

Genetic material is housed in the nucleus, not in intermediate filaments. The movement of cells is driven mainly by actin filaments and microtubules, not by intermediate filaments. Nutrient transport across membranes relies on membrane proteins and vesicle traffic, not the filament scaffold.