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Related Concept Videos

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The chemical and physical properties of plasma membranes cause them to be selectively permeable. Since plasma membranes have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, substances need to be able to transverse both regions. The hydrophobic area of membranes repels substances such as charged ions. Therefore, such substances need special membrane proteins to cross a membrane successfully. In  facilitated transport, also known as facilitated diffusion, molecules and ions travel across a...
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Primary Active Transport01:47

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In contrast to passive transport, active transport involves a substance being moved through membranes in a direction against its concentration or electrochemical gradient. There are two types of active transport: primary active transport and secondary active transport. Primary active transport utilizes chemical energy from ATP to drive protein pumps that are embedded in the cell membrane. With energy from ATP, the pumps transport ions against their electrochemical gradients—a direction...
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Secondary Active Transport01:55

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One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme “pump” embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
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In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing...
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Like many living organisms, plants have tissues that specialize in specific plant functions. For example, shoots are well adapted to rapid growth, while roots are structured to acquire resources efficiently. However, sugar production is primarily restricted to the photosynthetic cells that reside in the leaves of angiosperm plants. Sugar and other resources are transported from photosynthetic tissues to other specialized tissues by a process called translocation.
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Neurons: The Axon01:21

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Axons are long, cytoplasmic processes of nerve cells capable of propagating electrical impulses known as action potentials. The cytoplasm or axoplasm of an axon contains neurofibrils, neurotubules, small vesicles, lysosomes, mitochondria, and various enzymes, all encased within the axolemma, the plasma membrane of the axon.
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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Expanding the Toolkit for In Vivo Imaging of Axonal Transport
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Axonal Transport: A Constrained System.

Clare C Yu1, Babu J N Reddy2, Juliana C Wortman1

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.

Journal of Neurology & Neuromedicine
|November 24, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Axon transport impairment, linked to neurodegeneration, is hindered by high viscosity near axon walls, especially in small axons. Microtubule arrangement and force adaptation mechanisms can overcome this, improving intracellular transport.

Keywords:
AxonsDyneinKinesinMitochondriaMolecular motorsNeuronsPainTheoryTransport

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Intracellular axonal transport relies on microtubules, and its dysfunction is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Cargo movement near axon walls faces increased resistance due to higher effective viscosity, particularly in smaller diameter axons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review theoretical and experimental evidence on factors affecting intracellular axonal transport near axon boundaries.
  • To explore how microtubule organization and motor protein activity influence cargo transport efficiency in axons of varying calibers.

Main Methods:

  • Review of theoretical models predicting resistance to cargo motion near axon walls.
  • Analysis of experimental data on microtubule density and arrangement in axons.
  • Examination of motor protein engagement and force adaptation mechanisms in intracellular transport.

Main Results:

  • High effective viscosity near axon walls impedes cargo transport, especially in small-caliber axons.
  • Simultaneous engagement of motors on multiple, closely spaced parallel microtubules enhances transport efficiency.
  • Higher microtubule density in small axons increases the likelihood of simultaneous motor engagement.
  • A force adaptation system aids retrograde transport (toward the cell body) by overcoming resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Microtubule arrangement and density are critical for efficient intracellular axonal transport, mitigating wall-induced resistance.
  • Understanding these mechanisms can provide insights into neurodegenerative processes and potential therapeutic targets.