Motor proteins require energy in the form of ATP. ATP hydrolysis results in a conformational change that allows the protein to move along microtubular tracks (pathways). What structural component of the motor protein contains the ATP binding site and, therefore, changes shape to enable movement?
A) the portion of the molecule that binds to the vesicle being transported
B) the stalk
C) the portion of the molecule that binds to the microtubular track along which the vesicle is being transported
D) a location midway between the vesicle binding site and the portion of the molecule that binds to microtubular tracks

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The portion of the motor protein that binds to the microtubular track contains the ATP binding site. This is because the energy from ATP hydrolysis is directly used to change the conformation of this part of the protein, enabling it to "walk" along the microtubule.

Motor Proteins Require Energy in the Form of ATP