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Related Concept Videos

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

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Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
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Microtubules01:35

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There are three types of cytoskeletal structures in eukaryotic cells—microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. With a diameter of about 25 nm, microtubules are the thickest of these fibers. Microtubules carry out a variety of functions that include cell structure and support, transport of organelles, cell motility (movement), and the separation of chromosomes during cell division.
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Microtubules01:18

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Microtubules are the thickest cytoskeletal filaments with a diameter of 25 nm. In prokaryotic organisms, microtubules are commonly found in locomotory appendages like cilia and flagella. In eukaryotic cells, microtubules form specialized extensions for moving fluid over the surface, like those found in cells lining the intestine.
Microtubules have two structurally similar globular protein subunits: α and β tubulins. In the cytosol, the α and β tubulins form a heterodimer....
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Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

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Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...
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Role of Microtubules in Cell Wall Deposition01:02

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Microtubules are small hollow tubes in eukaryotic cells. The cell wall microtubules are polymerized dimers of two globular proteins, α-tubulin and β-tubulin, two globular proteins. With a diameter of about 25 nm, microtubules are the widest components of the cytoskeleton. They help the cell resist compression and provide a track along which vesicles move through the cell or pull replicated chromosomes to opposite ends of a dividing cell. Microtubules go through quick cycles of...
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Microtubules in Signaling01:22

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The primary cilium, made up of microtubules, acts as antennae on the cell surfaces for relaying external stimuli into the cells. These fine hair-like structures are present, generally one per cell. These are non-motile cilia in a 9+0 microtubules arrangement, where the central pair of microtubules are absent. The primary cilia arise from the basal body embedded in the cell membrane. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) carries requisite proteins from the cytoplasm to the cilium because the primary...
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Updated: Dec 29, 2025

A Method for Growing Bio-memristors from Slime Mold
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Microtubules as Sub-Cellular Memristors.

Jack A Tuszynski1,2,3, Douglas Friesen4, Holly Freedman5

  • 1Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 1Z2. jackt@ualberta.ca.

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Microtubules (MTs), essential cytoskeleton components, exhibit memristor-like electrical properties. This finding bridges biophysics and electronics, suggesting potential in neuroscience and nanotechnology.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Electronics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Memristors are the fourth fundamental circuit element with unique hysteresis.
  • Microtubules (MTs) are protein polymers involved in cellular structure and transport.
  • MTs are known to affect ionic conductance and respond to electric fields.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the theoretical basis and experimental evidence for memristive behavior in microtubules.
  • To explore the potential of microtubules as biological memristors.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical modeling of microtubule biophysics.
  • Experimental validation of memristive characteristics.
  • Estimation of microtubule memristance based on structural data.

Main Results:

  • Microtubules exhibit pinched, frequency-dependent current-voltage hysteresis loops.
  • Experimental data supports a functional dependence of magnetic flux on electric charge in MTs.
  • An estimate of microtubule memristance was derived from their biophysical properties.

Conclusions:

  • Microtubules can function as memristors under specific conditions.
  • This discovery has implications for understanding biological systems and developing novel nanoelectronic devices.
  • MTs offer a unique biological platform for memristive applications in neuroscience and beyond.