What is the role of microtubules in the cell?

Microtubules are integral components of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells, and their primary role is to provide structural support and facilitate various cellular processes, including cell division. They are hollow tubes made of tubulin protein subunits, which can rapidly polymerize and depolymerize, allowing the cell to maintain its shape and organization.

During cell division, microtubules form the spindle apparatus, which is essential for the accurate segregation of chromosomes. The microtubules connect to chromosomes at their kinetochores and help pull them apart into the two daughter cells. Additionally, microtubules are involved in intracellular transport, allowing organelles and other cellular components to move along the microtubules with the help of motor proteins.

The other options refer to different functions that are not primarily associated with microtubules. Storing nutrients is typically the role of vacuoles and other storage organelles. Protein synthesis primarily occurs at ribosomes, and while some cellular structures assist with signaling pathways, this is not a direct function of microtubules.