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Kinesins are motor proteins found within the cells of living organisms, functioning like microscopic delivery robots. They transport essential cargo—such as proteins—within cells along a network of microtubules. The complexity of kinesins, which are approximately 7 nanometers long and exhibit humanoid characteristics with legs and arms, illustrates a level of engineering that surpasses much of human technology.
The Process of Transport
To understand the role of kinesins, one must look closely at cellular processes. Kinesin operates in a series of tasks involving:
- Accessing DNA: The journey begins when a ribosome needs to manufacture a protein. It receives blueprints from the cell's nucleus.