The microtubule behavior in which individual microtubules alternate between cycles of growth and shrinkage is called
A) an equilibrium state.
B) dynamic instability.
C) treadmilling.
D) recycling.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The behavior described is known as dynamic instability. In this process, individual microtubules undergo a cycle of growth and shrinking, resulting in dynamic or fluctuating behavior. Option A, equilibrium state, does not accurately describe the behavior because the microtubules are constantly changing size. Option C, treadmilling, is when the addition of subunits occurs at one end and removal at the other, leading to a steady-state of overall growth in the microtubule. Option D, recycling, is not a well-defined term in the context of microtubule behavior.

The Microtubule Behavior in Which Individual Microtubules Alternate Between Cycles