Picturing kinesins "walking" along a microtubule, its head domains seem to act like "feet." A "step" forward is taken when the front "foot" exchanges ATP for ADP, hydrolysis occurs, and the kinesin binds to the microtubule at a site about 8 nm from its original position.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first sentence accurately describes the movement of kinesin molecules along microtubules, often likened to walking due to the alternating stepping of its head domains. The second sentence correctly outlines the mechanism of this movement, where ATP binding, hydrolysis, and subsequent ADP release in the front "foot" (head domain) facilitate the "step" forward, binding the kinesin to a new position on the microtubule.

Picturing Kinesins "Walking" Along a Microtubule, Its Head Domains Seem