cytoskeleton
noun
cy·to·skel·e·ton ˌsī-tə-ˈske-lə-tən 
: the network of protein filaments and microtubules in the cytoplasm that controls cell shape, maintains intracellular organization, and is involved in cell movement
cytoskeletal
ˌsī-tə-ˈske-lə-tᵊl
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web With the exception of bacterial and archaeal cells, all cells contain a scaffold-like structure —known as the cytoskeleton— made up of interlinking protein filaments. 
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 There are other structures and mechanisms (the cytoskeleton, for instance, the extracellular matrix, bioelectricity, or even simple protein clumping) that could conceivably be tasked with encoding memories. Jennifer Frazer, Scientific American, 28 May 2021 The cytoskeleton consists of a vast network of different kinds of fibers - microtubules, actin filaments, and intermediate filaments - that are continuously extending and retracting. Gabriel A. Silva, Forbes, 27 Apr. 2021 The same year, biophysicist Michael Rosen of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and colleagues showed that three proteins that collaborate to organize part of the cytoskeleton form liquid droplets in a test tube solution. Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, 21 Jan. 2021 The therapy is designed to treat a form of Duchenne muscular dystrophy caused by mutations in the RNA that codes for the protein that helps to connect muscle fibers’ cytoskeletons to a surrounding matrix. Jim Daley, Scientific American, 24 Dec. 2019 Loki has a number of genes typically found in eukaryotes, including genes linked to the dynamic, shape-shifting cytoskeleton. Quanta Magazine, 29 Oct. 2015 In the case of slime molds, their cytoskeleton may form smart, complex networks able to process sensory information. Katia Moskvitch, WIRED, 14 July 2018 That means making sure the cells have myosin and actin — two proteins that are key to forming the cellular cytoskeleton, and to building muscle filaments. Noah Shachtman, WIRED, 25 Mar. 2009 See More
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 There are other structures and mechanisms (the cytoskeleton, for instance, the extracellular matrix, bioelectricity, or even simple protein clumping) that could conceivably be tasked with encoding memories. Jennifer Frazer, Scientific American, 28 May 2021 The cytoskeleton consists of a vast network of different kinds of fibers - microtubules, actin filaments, and intermediate filaments - that are continuously extending and retracting. Gabriel A. Silva, Forbes, 27 Apr. 2021 The same year, biophysicist Michael Rosen of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and colleagues showed that three proteins that collaborate to organize part of the cytoskeleton form liquid droplets in a test tube solution. Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, 21 Jan. 2021 The therapy is designed to treat a form of Duchenne muscular dystrophy caused by mutations in the RNA that codes for the protein that helps to connect muscle fibers’ cytoskeletons to a surrounding matrix. Jim Daley, Scientific American, 24 Dec. 2019 Loki has a number of genes typically found in eukaryotes, including genes linked to the dynamic, shape-shifting cytoskeleton. Quanta Magazine, 29 Oct. 2015 In the case of slime molds, their cytoskeleton may form smart, complex networks able to process sensory information. Katia Moskvitch, WIRED, 14 July 2018 That means making sure the cells have myosin and actin — two proteins that are key to forming the cellular cytoskeleton, and to building muscle filaments. Noah Shachtman, WIRED, 25 Mar. 2009 See More Word History
First Known Use
1936, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
cytoskeleton
noun
cy·to·skel·e·ton ˌsīt-ō-ˈskel-ət-ᵊn
: the network of protein filaments and microtubules in the cytoplasm that controls cell shape, maintains intracellular organization, and is involved in cell movement