Question

Kinesin facilitates the movement of vesicles down an axon in which direction?

1) Anterograde direction
2) Retrograde direction
3) Both anterograde and retrograde directions
4) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

Kinesin moves vesicles in the anterograde direction within axons, from the cell body to the synapses, using ATP as an energy source.

Step-by-step explanation:

Kinesin facilitates the movement of vesicles down an axon in the anterograde direction, which means from the cell body towards the synapses. This motor protein utilizes the energy from ATP hydrolysis to transport various organelles such as vesicles containing neurotransmitters along the microtubule tracks within axons. In contrast, the movement in the retrograde direction, from the nerve endings back to the cell body, is powered by a different motor protein named dynein, which is also ATP-dependent. The dynamic and specific roles of these proteins are critical for maintaining neuronal function and communication.