Microtubules act as cellular tracks along which motor proteins, such as dynein and kinesin, move to transport organelles and vesicles throughout the cytoplasm.

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Microtubules are dynamic eukaryotic cytoskeletal structures composed of tubulin dimers (alpha-tubulin and beta-tubulin) that form hollow tubes with a diameter of $${}23\text{ nm}$$. They serve as internal support structures, transport tracks for organelles and vesicles, components of flagella and cilia, and form the mitotic spindle during cell division.

Microtubules

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Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

OpenStax Microbiology Textbook

A microtubule is structured as a hollow tube composed of stacks of rings, where each ring is made of $${}13$$ polymerized dimers of alpha-tubulin and beta-tubulin.

Microtubule Structure

Intracellular Transport via Microtubules

Eukaryotic cilia and flagella are cell appendages that are structurally composed of microtubules, which make up both their filament and basal body components.

Eukaryotic Cilia and Flagella

The mitotic spindle is a eukaryotic cell division structure that serves to separate chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis. It is produced by two centrosomes located at opposite ends of the cell.

Mitotic Spindle

Centrosomes are cell structures that function as microtubule-organizing centers. During eukaryotic cell division, two centrosomes position themselves at opposite ends of the cell to produce the mitotic spindle.

Centrosomes

A centriole is a cylindrical cellular structure composed of twenty-seven parallel microtubules arranged in nine triplets. A pair of centrioles positioned at right angles to each other forms a centrosome.

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