What component of the cytoskeleton is primarily involved in cell motility?

Microfilaments, primarily composed of actin, play a crucial role in cell motility. They are involved in various cellular movements, such as muscle contraction, cell division, and the formation of cellular protrusions like lamellipodia and filopodia. These dynamic structures can rapidly grow and shrink, allowing cells to change shape, move towards stimuli, and navigate through their environment. This capability is essential for processes such as wound healing and immune responses.

While microtubules can also contribute to cell motility, particularly in the form of cilia and flagella for the movement of some cells, their primary role is more associated with structural support and intracellular transport. Intermediate filaments, on the other hand, primarily provide mechanical support and stability to cells rather than facilitating movement. Cell junctions are structures that connect cells to one another and to their extracellular environment, which are essential for maintaining tissue integrity but are not directly involved in cell motility. Thus, microfilaments are indeed the key component of the cytoskeleton associated with enabling and regulating cell movement.