BIOLOGY Volume 1 - A Guide to General Biology - 2004

5. CELLS

5.10. Cellular Structures

5.10.8. Microvilli

Microvilli are finger-like projections of Cell/30.html">The Plasma Membrane found in certain animal Cells (Figs. 5.10 and 5.12). They can increase The Cell surface area up to 25-fold and are therefore particularly abundant on absorptive cells, such as those lining the Small Intestine and the convoluted tubules of nephrons. This expanded absorptive surface also enhances food Digestion IN THE gut, as several digestive Enzymes are anchored to the cell surface (Section 8.3.8).

The fringe of microvilli on epithelial cells is readily visible under a Light Microscope, forming what is known as the brush border of the epithelium.

Each microvillus contains bundles of Actin and Myosin filaments. Actin and myosin are Muscle Proteins involved in Muscle contraction. At the Base of the microvilli, these actin and myosin filaments interconnect with those of adjacent microvilli to form a complex network. This entire system maintains the microvilli in an extended state and helps them retain their shape, while also allowing actin filaments to slide past myosin filaments (much like the Mechanism of muscle contraction).



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