noun
- tiny hollow protein tubes found in cells that help maintain cell shape and assist in moving materials within the cell
Usage: biology; cell biology
Examples
- Microtubules form part of the cell’s cytoskeleton.
- During cell division, microtubules help separate chromosomes.
- The researcher studied how microtubules transport proteins across the cell.
- Cancer drugs often target microtubules to prevent tumor growth.
- Microtubules are made of a protein called tubulin.
- The cell’s microtubules constantly grow and shrink as needed.