Kinesin, dynein and myosin convert ATP energy into directed movement along microtubules or actin filaments.
Kinesins mostly walk toward the plus end of microtubules (outward), dynein toward the minus end (inward), and myosins along actin. They hydrolyse ATP in their motor heads and take steps of about 8 nm.
Roles include vesicle transport in axons (which can be a metre long), chromosome movement, ciliary beating and muscle contraction.
Kinesin, dynein and myosin convert ATP energy into directed movement along microtubules or actin filaments.
Motor Proteins is one of the 52 topics in Cell Biology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Cytoskeleton, Cell Migration, Active Transport.
A defect in kinesin or dynein function can cause neurodegeneration because axons rely on long-distance transport.
Work through the Beginner topics in Cell Biology first, such as Cell Theory, Prokaryotic Cell, Eukaryotic Cell, then return to Motor Proteins. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Motor Proteins are Cytoskeleton, Cell Migration, Active Transport, Cell Differentiation. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Motor Proteins. To practise the whole of Cell Biology, use the Cell Biology quiz.
Motor Proteins: Kinesin, dynein and myosin convert ATP energy into directed movement along microtubules or actin filaments. Cytoskeleton: A network of protein filaments that maintains cell shape, anchors organelles and enables movement. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Cytoskeleton and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Cell Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
A network of protein filaments that maintains cell shape, anchors organelles and enables movement.
🔬 Cell BiologyCrawling movement driven by actin polymerisation at the leading edge, adhesion turnover and rear contraction.
🔬 Cell BiologyMovement of substances against their gradient using energy, usually ATP, via carrier proteins called pumps.
🔬 Cell BiologyThe process by which unspecialised cells switch on particular genes to become specialised cell types.
🔬 Cell Biology