Concept explainers
To determine:
Would a defect in dynein or in kinesin cause a zebra fish embryo to remain darkly colored after daybreak?
Introduction:
Kinesin is a class of motor proteins which is found in the eukaryotic cells. It moves along with the microtubule filaments and helps in carrying molecules from center of the cell. It transports molecules from center of the cell to the periphery. Dynein is a class of cytoskeletal motor protein and it moves along with the microtubules in the cells.
Explanation of Solution
Motor proteins are small accessory proteins which are present in cells along with the microtubules and microfilaments. It helps in the movement of substances within a cell. There are two types of motor proteins; dynein and kinesin.
Kinesin helps in the transportation of cellular material towards the plus end of the microtubules which is located at the periphery of the cell, while dynein carries cellular material towards the minus end of the cell, which is located at the centrosome in the interior of the cell. Its movement is accomplished by the energy driven from ATP.
Melanophores are similar to melanocytes which controls pigmentation in skin. In zebra fish, during night, the melanin granules in the skin of fish embryo are dispersed throughout into the melanophores and make its skin darkly colored. However, in the morning, the melanin pigment granules are aggregated at the center of the cell causing the light color of the embryo. Kinesin helps in the movement of melanophores granules out towards the plus end of the microtubules dispersal during night, while dynein helps in the movement of granules back towards the minus end during aggregation in the day time.
A small defect in dynein causes the melanin granules to remain dispersed as it helps in the aggregation of granules towards the minus end of the microtubule during day time. However, the kinesin helps in dispersion during the night time. This camouflage property helps the zebra fish to prevent their young developing organisms from predators.
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