Question

What do all motor proteins have in common?

1) They can be used for muscle contraction.
2) They can bind to intracellular vesicles.
3) They convert chemical energy into motion.
4) They convert actin networks into actin bundles, or axonemal microfilaments into cytoplasmic microtubules.

Answer 1

All motor proteins convert chemical energy into motion by hydrolyzing ATP to power their movement along cytoskeletal structures, facilitating processes such as vesicle transport, organelle positioning, and muscle contraction.

Step-by-step explanation:

All motor proteins share the common characteristic that they convert chemical energy into motion. This is achieved through the hydrolysis of ATP, which powers the movement of motor proteins such as dynein, kinesin, and myosin along cytoskeletal structures like microtubules and microfilaments. Motor proteins are essential for various intracellular movements, including vesicle transport, organelle positioning, and processes like muscle contraction and cellular motility.

For instance, kinesin and dynein move cargo like organelles and vesicles along microtubule tracks within the cell. Myosin interacts with actin filaments, particularly in muscle cells where their coordinated movement leads to muscle contraction. These motor proteins are ATPases, which means they have an enzymatic activity that breaks down ATP, releasing the energy needed for their mechanical movements.