Cell cortex
Encyclopedia
The cell cortex is a specialized layer of cytoplasm
on the inner face of the plasma membrane that functions as a mechanical support of the plasma membrane. In animal cells it is an actin-rich layer responsible for movements of the cell surface. In plant cell
s, the cell cortex is reinforced by cortical microtubule
s underlying the plasma membrane. The direction of these cortical microtubules determines which way the cell elongates when it grows.
In some animal cells, the protein spectrin
may be present in the cortex. Spectrin helps to create a network by cross-linking actin filaments.. The proportions of spectrin and actin vary in different cell types. Spectrin proteins and actin microfilaments are attached to transmembrane proteins by attachment proteins between them and the transmembrane proteins. The cell cortex is attached to the inner (cytosolic) face of the plasma membrane in cells where the spectrin proteins and actin microfilaments form a mesh-like structure much like a fishnet except that it can be broken and reformed. This breakage and reformation is referred to as "dynamic instability."
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is a small gel-like substance residing between the cell membrane holding all the cell's internal sub-structures , except for the nucleus. All the contents of the cells of prokaryote organisms are contained within the cytoplasm...
on the inner face of the plasma membrane that functions as a mechanical support of the plasma membrane. In animal cells it is an actin-rich layer responsible for movements of the cell surface. In plant cell
Plant cell
Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that differ in several key respects from the cells of other eukaryotic organisms. Their distinctive features include:...
s, the cell cortex is reinforced by cortical microtubule
Microtubule
Microtubules are a component of the cytoskeleton. These rope-like polymers of tubulin can grow as long as 25 micrometers and are highly dynamic. The outer diameter of microtubule is about 25 nm. Microtubules are important for maintaining cell structure, providing platforms for intracellular...
s underlying the plasma membrane. The direction of these cortical microtubules determines which way the cell elongates when it grows.
In some animal cells, the protein spectrin
Spectrin
Spectrin is a cytoskeletal protein that lines the intracellular side of the plasma membrane of many cell types in pentagonal or hexagonal arrangements, forming a scaffolding and playing an important role in maintenance of plasma membrane integrity and cytoskeletal structure...
may be present in the cortex. Spectrin helps to create a network by cross-linking actin filaments.. The proportions of spectrin and actin vary in different cell types. Spectrin proteins and actin microfilaments are attached to transmembrane proteins by attachment proteins between them and the transmembrane proteins. The cell cortex is attached to the inner (cytosolic) face of the plasma membrane in cells where the spectrin proteins and actin microfilaments form a mesh-like structure much like a fishnet except that it can be broken and reformed. This breakage and reformation is referred to as "dynamic instability."