What is the name of a protein that polymerizes into long chains or filaments that form microtubules, hollow fibers that act as a skeletal system for living cells?

The correct answer is Tubulin.

Key Points

• A microtubule is comprised of tubulin proteins organized to frame an empty, straw-like cylinder, and each tubulin protein comprises two subunits, α-tubulin, and β-tubulin.
• Microtubules, similar to actin fibres, are dynamic designs: they can develop and shrivel rapidly by the expansion or expulsion of tubulin proteins.
• The tubulin proteins α-and β polymerize into long chains or fibres that structure microtubules, a fundamental component of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton.
• Tubulin dimers can depolymerize also as polymerize, and microtubules can go through quick patterns of gathering and dismantling.

Additional Information

• Ferritin is a blood protein that carries iron.
• Fibrinogen is a protein created by the liver.
• Elastin is quite possibly the most plentiful protein in your body.