Podcast
Questions and Answers
What structure serves as the main nucleation site for microtubules?
What structure serves as the main nucleation site for microtubules?
Microtubules can grow preferentially at their minus end.
Microtubules can grow preferentially at their minus end.
False
What regulates microtubule stability through GTP-hydrolysis?
What regulates microtubule stability through GTP-hydrolysis?
GTP-cap
Microtubules are composed of _________ proteins.
Microtubules are composed of _________ proteins.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the microtubule-associated proteins with their functions:
Match the microtubule-associated proteins with their functions:
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about microtubule dynamics is accurate?
Which statement about microtubule dynamics is accurate?
Signup and view all the answers
Dynamic instability is a characteristic of microtubules.
Dynamic instability is a characteristic of microtubules.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the subunits that make up microtubules?
What are the subunits that make up microtubules?
Signup and view all the answers
The _________ end of a microtubule is where most growth occurs.
The _________ end of a microtubule is where most growth occurs.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following microtubule-associated proteins is responsible for severing microtubules?
Which of the following microtubule-associated proteins is responsible for severing microtubules?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Microtubule Structure and Function
- Microtubules are found in many locations and have similar structures.
- Microtubules are composed of protein dimers (alpha and beta tubulin).
- Microtubules exhibit dynamic instability; that is, they grow and shrink in a cyclical manner.
- Microtubules grow preferentially at their plus ends.
- The plus end of microtubules is where new tubulin dimers are added.
- The minus end of microtubules is where tubulin dimers are lost.
- GTP-hydrolysis controls microtubule stability.
- Nucleation occurs at the minus end of microtubules by gamma tubulin ring complexes.
- Microtubules grow from the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC).
- Microtubule spacing depends on the length of the projection domain of microtubule-associated proteins.
- Different types of microtubules include singlet, doublet, and triplet microtubules.
Motor Proteins
- Kinesin and dynein are motor proteins that move along microtubules.
- Kinesin moves towards the plus end of the microtubules.
- Dynein moves towards the minus end of the microtubules.
- Motor proteins share similar domain structures: motor domain, ATPase, linker region, cargo domain.
- Dynein-dynactin complex is a minus-end-directed motor.
- Motor directionality can be determined by in vitro MT sliding assays.
- Kinesin-1 uses ATP to walk down a microtubule.
Microtubule Dynamics
- Dynamic instability of microtubules involves cycles of assembly and disassembly.
- Catastrophe is the rapid loss of tubulin dimers from the plus end.
- Rescue is the rapid addition of tubulin dimers to the plus end.
- GTP cap regulates microtubule stability.
- Photo-bleaching reveals the dynamic behavior of cytoskeletal filaments.
Microtubule-based Vesicle Transport
- DIC microscopy demonstrates microtubule-based vesicle transport.
- Organelles move on microtubules.
- Organelle transport by microtubule motors.
Cilia and Flagella
- Flagella propel cells through liquid.
- Cilia move material across the surface of cells.
- Flagella and cilia are comprised of microtubules.
Mitosis
- Mitosis is a part of the cell cycle.
- Mitosis in an animal cell and related structure and function were discussed.
Other Notable Information
- Gamma-tubulin ring complexes nucleate microtubules at the minus end.
- MAP2 and tau regulate microtubule spacing.
- Katanin severs microtubules.
- Hook decoration method for visualizing microtubules.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your understanding of microtubule structure and dynamics with this quiz. Explore topics such as nucleation sites, subunit composition, and the roles of microtubule-associated proteins. Enhance your knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate microtubule stability and dynamics.
