axoneme

Function

• cytoskeletal inner core structure of cilia & flagella
• gives support & shape to cilia & flagella

Structure

• axoneme contains many proteins & protein complexes necessary for function
• each axoneme consists of several microtubules aligned in parallel
• the microtubules are arranged in a characteristic pattern
• the microtubule or organized in pairs
• 9 sets of microtubule pairs form a ring around a central pair of microtubules (9 x 2 + 2 = 20 microtubles/axoneme)
• axonemes contain dynein dynein arms produce the force needed for bending. each dynein arm is anchored to a microtubule pair. dynein can cause microtubules to slide against each other in synchrony, with the mictrotubules on one side of the axonmene being pulled down & those on the other side pulled up, thus the axoneme as a whole can bend back & forth, resulting in ciliary/flagellar beating
• axonemes contain radial spokes radial spokes regulate motion of the axoneme 'T'-shaped complex thate projects from each set of outer microtubule pairs toward the central microtubule pair

More general terms

• macromolecular complex