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An experiment was conducted in which the movement of mitochondria within a nerve axon was found to be sensitive to nocodazole, whereas the positional stability of the mitochondria within the axon was sensitive to lantrunculin. What do these results suggest about mitochondria positioning and stability within axons?

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Final answer:

The sensitivity of mitochondrial movement to nocodazole indicates its dependence on microtubules, while stability sensitivity to lantrunculin points to reliance on the actin cytoskeleton, showing the roles of both in nerve axon dynamics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The experiment described suggests that the movement of mitochondria within a nerve axon is dependent on the microtubule network, as evidenced by its sensitivity to nocodazole, a known microtubule disruptor. Conversely, the positional stability of the mitochondria appears to be reliant on the actin cytoskeleton, as demonstrated by the sensitivity to lantrunculin, a substance that disrupts actin filaments. The use of these agents reveals the crucial roles that both microtubules and actin filaments play in the transport and anchoring of mitochondria within the axons, which is essential for maintaining nerve impulses through nerve axons and overall cellular health.

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