Final answer:
Microtubules radiate from the centrosome and give animal cells their shape. The centrosome is the microtubule-organizing center near the nucleus. Microtubules are composed of alpha and beta tubulin and are important for cell structure, division, and mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
In animal cells, microtubules extend in a radial array outward from the centrosome, which gives the cell a robust, structured shape. These microtubules are critical in maintaining the cell's shape by serving as a support framework. The centrosome, located near the nucleus, acts as the microtubule-organizing center. Microtubules are composed of polymerized alpha and beta tubulin monomers that join together to form dimers, which then assemble into the hollow tubes of the microtubules. These structures are integral not only for shape but also for intracellular transport, cell division, and the formation of cilia and flagella, which facilitate cellular movement.