Which phase of microtubule polymerization in vitro would be affected most by adding short microtubules to unpolymerized GTP-tubulin?
A)lag phase
B)elongation phase
C)addition of tubulin dimers to microtubule (+)ends at the plateau phase
D)addition of tubulin dimers to microtubule (−)ends at the plateau phase
E)treadmilling

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adding short microtubules to unpolymerized GTP-tubulin primarily affects the lag phase because these act as nucleation sites, thereby reducing the time required for nucleation to occur and accelerating the initiation of polymerization.

Which Phase of Microtubule Polymerization in Vitro Would Be Affected