Editing Microvillus (section)

== Relationship to cell ==
Microvilli are formed as cell extensions from the plasma membrane surface.

Actin filaments, present in the [[cytosol]], are most abundant near the cell surface. These filaments are thought to determine the shape and movement of the plasma membrane.

The [[nucleation]] of actin fibers occurs as a response to external stimuli, allowing a cell to alter its shape to suit a particular situation.

This could account for the uniformity of the microvilli, which are observed to be of equal length and diameter. This nucleation process occurs from the minus end, allowing rapid growth from the plus end.

Though the length and composition of microvilli is consistent within a certain group of homogenous cells, it can differ slightly in a different part of the same organism.

For example, the microvilli in the small and large intestines in mice are slightly different in length and amount of surface coat covering.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Mukherjee T, Williams A | title = A comparative study of the ultrastructure of microvilli in the epithelium of small and large intestine of mice. | journal = J Cell Biol | volume = 34 | issue = 2 | pages = 447–61 | year = 1967 | pmid = 6035639 | doi = 10.1083/jcb.34.2.447 | pmc = 2107317}} [http://www.jcb.org/cgi/reprint/34/2/447.pdf link] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406073400/http://www.jcb.org/cgi/reprint/34/2/447.pdf |date=April 6, 2008 }}</ref>