Did you know…your body has billions of microscopic skeletons?

Each cell in our body has its own skeleton, the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton’s job is to hold up the cell and give it its shape. It is also responsible for transportation of substances into and out of the cell. Even though it is called a skeleton, it is quite flexible and changes shape as the cell reorganizes itself. The cytoskeleton consists of 3 main proteins: Microtubules, Actin microfilaments, and Intermediate filaments. Microtubules are the largest. Their job is to act as  roads for intercellular transport (transport between cells). Actin microfilaments are the smallest. Their job is to provide mechanical support to the cell and act as roads for intracellular transport (transport inside the cell). Finally, the intermediate filaments job is to anchor the cells organelles in place. It may be fun to let diving rings sink so you can retrieve them, but when it comes to organelles, I’d want mine to be anchored in place.