Molecular Motors and Movement

Vocabulary flashcards related to the topic of molecular motors and movement, covering key concepts and terms.

Molecular Motors

Proteins that use chemical energy (ATP) to produce mechanical motion.

Myosin

A type of motor protein involved in muscle contraction.

Actin

A protein that forms microfilaments and is involved in muscle contraction when interacting with myosin.

ATP Hydrolysis

The process of breaking down ATP to release energy that drives molecular motors.

Dynein

A motor protein that moves organelles in a minus-to-plus direction along microtubules.

Kinesin

A motor protein that moves organelles in a plus-to-minus direction along microtubules.

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum (SR)

A specialized endoplasmic reticulum in muscle fibers that stores calcium ions (Ca2+) important for muscle contraction.

Myofibrils

The basic structural units of muscle fibers, containing sarcomeres.

Muscle Contraction

The process by which muscle fibers change length and generate force, enabling movement.

Processivity

The ability of a motor protein to travel a longer distance without dissociating from its track.