[Campbell Biology P.172] A specialized motor protein, identified as a myosin, is observed fa... | Practice Question

A specialized motor protein, identified as a myosin, is observed facilitating the movement of an organelle within the cell. Based on the information provided, on which type of cytoskeletal filament would this myosin most likely be walking, and what is the general role of such motor protein activity within the cell?

  • A: Microtubules; maintaining overall cell shape and rigidity.
  • B: Microfilaments; transport of vesicles or organelles within the cell.
  • C: Microtubules; facilitating muscle contraction.
  • D: Microfilaments; directly involved in DNA transcription.

Explanation

Text h states that motor proteins like myosin are responsible for the 'transport of vesicles and movement of organelles within the cell.' Text g describes microfilaments as 'cables that have two chains of actin proteins wound around each other' and the image h shows myosin motor protein interacting with a microfilament to move a vesicle. This confirms that myosin moves along microfilaments to transport cellular components.