Motor Proteins

Question 1

What are Motor Proteins?

Answer 1

-Elicit shape changes & movement by converting chemical energy to mechanical motion

Question 2

What are the 3 prominent Motor Proteins?

Answer 2

• Dynein
• Kinesin
• Myosin

Question 3

What do Dynein and Kinesin have in common?

Answer 3

• They both interact w/ Microtubules to generate motion
• Help Cilia & Flagella move
• Move material (vesicles) by latching onto it & moving opposite directions on the Microtubule “railroad track” which help the cell control where things go
• Either one of the proteins guides the vesicle who’s going to another organelle via the track

Question 4

How does Cilia & Flagella use the motor protein Dynein?

Answer 4

-To move microtubules against each other to generate their designated motions (Cilia being wave & Flagella being rotary whip)

Question 5

What does Mysoin do?

Answer 5

• Interacts w/ Actin filaments by moving them against each other in Amoeba
• It creates Amoeba movement
• Creates contraction inside muscle cells (Actin-Myosin)
• Tugs on array of Actin filaments in muscle