The upcoming discussion will update you about the differences between Microfilaments and Microtubules.
Difference # Microfilaments:
1. They are contractile.
2. They do not possess longitudinal subunits.
3. Microfilaments are solid structures.
4. Microfilaments are made up of actin protein.
5. The diameter of a microfilament is 6 nm.
6. They occur below cell membrane and at the interphase of plasmagel-plasmasol.
7. Microfilaments are believed to cause cytoplasmic streaming.
8. They take part in endocytosis.
Difference # Microtubules:
1. They are non-contractile though change in length can occur through assembly and disassembly of constituent proteins.
2. A microtubule contains 13 proto-filaments.
3. They are hollow tubules.
4. Microtubules are formed of α and β tubulin.
5. The diameter of a microtubule is 25 nm,
6. Microtubules occur in centrioles, basal bodies, cilia/flagella, astral rays, spindle fibre.
7. Microtubules cause microcirculation by directing vesicles to particular direction.
8. Microtubules have no role in endocytosis but direct endosomes in particular direction.