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Related Concept Videos

Crossing Over01:34

Crossing Over

Unlike mitosis, meiosis aims for genetic diversity in its creation of haploid gametes. Dividing germ cells first begin this process in prophase I, where each chromosome—replicated in S phase—is now composed of two sister chromatids (identical copies) joined centrally.
The homologous pairs of sister chromosomes—one from the maternal and one from the paternal genome—then begin to align alongside each other lengthwise, matching corresponding DNA positions in a process called synapsis.
In order to...
Social Traps01:41

Social Traps

Social traps are negative situations where people get caught in a direction or relationship that later proves to be unpleasant, with no easy way to back out of or avoid. The concept was orignally introduced by John Platt who applied psychology to Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons", where in New England herd owners could let their cattle graze in the common ground. This situation seems like a good idea, but an individual could have an advantage. If they owned more cows, the larger...
Short-distance Transport of Resources02:12

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.
Crossing over01:34

Crossing over

Unlike mitosis, meiosis aims for genetic diversity in its creation of haploid gametes. Dividing germ cells first begin this process in prophase I, where each chromosome—replicated in S phase—is now composed of two sister chromatids (identical copies) joined centrally.
The homologous pairs of sister chromosomes—one from the maternal and one from the paternal genome—then begin to align alongside each other lengthwise, matching corresponding DNA positions in a process called synapsis.
In order to...
Crossing Over01:30

Crossing Over

Crossing over is the exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis I. Genetic recombination gives rise to allelic diversity in the newly formed daughter cells. In humans, crossing over produces genetically distinct haploid egg and sperm cells that undergo fertilization to produce unique offspring. Before cell division starts, the germ cell’s chromosome(s) undergo duplication in the S phase of the cell cycle. As the cells enter prophase I, duplicated...
Direct Motor Pathways01:11

Direct Motor Pathways

The direct motor pathways, also known as the pyramidal tracts, are a group of neural pathways that originate in the brain and descend through the spinal cord. They control the voluntary movement of the body. There are two major direct motor pathways: the corticospinal and the corticobulbar tracts.
The corticospinal tract is responsible for the voluntary movement of the limbs and trunk. It originates in the cerebral cortex of the brain and descends through the cerebrum's internal capsule and the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Evaluation of an Exclusive Spur Dike U-Turn Design with Radar-Collected Data and Simulation
11:41

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Kinesin walks hand-over-hand.

Ahmet Yildiz1, Michio Tomishige, Ronald D Vale

  • 1Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 20, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Kinesin motor proteins move using a hand-over-hand mechanism, not an inchworm model. Single kinesin heads take large steps, alternating with pauses, supporting this model.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular motor function
  • Cellular transport mechanisms
  • Biophysics of protein movement

Background:

  • Kinesin is a vital motor protein that transports cargo along microtubules.
  • The precise stepping mechanism of kinesin (hand-over-hand vs. inchworm) has been a long-standing debate.
  • Understanding kinesin's movement is crucial for cellular biology and disease research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the stepping mechanism of the kinesin motor protein.
  • To differentiate between the hand-over-hand and inchworm models of kinesin motility.
  • To provide high-resolution data on individual kinesin head movements.

Main Methods:

  • Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy was employed to label and track kinesin heads.
  • A Cy3 fluorophore was attached to a single kinesin head for precise localization.

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  • High-resolution tracking determined dye positions within 2 nm before and after each step.

    • Main Results:

    • Individual kinesin heads were observed to take steps of 17.3 ± 3.3 nm.
    • Kinetic analysis revealed that these large steps alternate with 0-nm steps (pauses).
    • The observed stepping pattern strongly supports a hand-over-hand mechanism.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings provide strong evidence for a hand-over-hand mechanism in kinesin motility.
    • The results refute the inchworm model for kinesin's movement along microtubules.
    • Kinesin likely maintains dual-head attachment to microtubules during ATP-binding pauses.