microtubule

noun

mi·​cro·​tu·​bule ˌmī-krō-ˈtü-(ˌ)byül How to pronounce microtubule (audio)
-ˈtyü-
: any of the minute tubules in eukaryotic cytoplasm that are composed of the protein tubulin and form an important component of the cytoskeleton, mitotic spindle, cilia, and flagella
microtubular adjective

Examples of microtubule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tau helps microtubules distributed throughout the neuron give the cell its shape and transport nutrients and other cellular materials. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 One color shows the cell nucleus (to mark where each cell is) and others show the structural component actin (which determines the shape of the cell) and the microtubules that are part of the communication and transport network within a cell. Eva Amsen, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 Penrose, together with anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff, suggested that such collapse takes place in microtubules, tubelike, elongated structural proteins that form part of the cytoskeleton of cells, such as those making up the central nervous system. Hartmut Neven, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2024 In healthy brains, tau proteins stabilize microtubules, which provide the scaffolding for cells and help transport nutrients. New Atlas, 23 July 2024 The identification of rare mutations in this gene that are more common in left-handers suggests that microtubules are involved in setting up the brain's normal asymmetries, Francks said. Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024 In a brain ravaged by Alzheimer’s, microtubules, which are crucial to cell communication, disintegrate as tau proteins (blue) form tangles and amyloid proteins (green) form plaques. Linda Marsa, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2019 The drug binds to the protein tubulin in cells, preventing it from forming into microtubules, which are vital structural components of cells. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 27 Oct. 2023 Our cells’ overall structures are supported by microtubules, hollow tubes that give cells their shape. Amber Jorgenson, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of microtubule was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near microtubule

Cite this Entry

“Microtubule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microtubule. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

microtubule

noun
mi·​cro·​tu·​bule ˌmī-krō-ˈt(y)ü-(ˌ)byü(ə)l How to pronounce microtubule (audio)
: any of the minute tubules in eukaryotic cytoplasm that are composed of the protein tubulin and form an important component of the cytoskeleton, mitotic spindle, cilia, and flagella
microtubular adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on microtubule

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