Question

Which of the following statements is correct? Kinesins and dyneins ______

A) often move in opposite directions to each other.
B) have tails that bind to the filaments.
C) move along both micro tubules and actin filaments.
D) derive their energy from GTP hydrolysis.

Answer 1

Kinesins and dyneins often move in opposite directions to each other along microtubules, using ATP hydrolysis for energy. Kinesins generally move towards the cell's periphery, while dyneins move towards the center of the cell, playing key roles in intracellular cargo transport and the motility of cilia and flagella.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement among the options provided is that kinesins and dyneins often move in opposite directions to each other. Kinesins typically move cargo towards the plus end of the microtubule, which is generally towards the cell's periphery, while dyneins move cargo towards the minus end of the microtubule, often towards the cell's center. This movement is essential for processes like intracellular transport of organelles, as well as for the positioning of the organelles within the cell.

Both kinesins and dyneins are ATPases, which means they use the free energy from ATP hydrolysis for their movements along the microtubules. This ATP hydrolysis provides the energy required for the conformational changes that these motor proteins make to 'walk' along the microtubules.

Dyneins are also involved in the bending of axonemes in cilia and flagella, which is made possible by the dynein arms walking along the microtubules and causing them to slide past one another. This mechanism is critical for the movement of cilia and flagella.