Another name for the F
oF
1 ATPase which generates the
cell's currency,
ATP. The shape is that of a tower with a revolving restauraunt - or stalked particle. The F
o part (
oligomycin sensitive) is the base while the F
1 (incorrectly called 1 since o looks like 0) is the stalk. The whole complex is a million
daltons and about 200 Ângstrom high (compared to a 7 Ângstrom membrane).
Tests done to determine the efficiency of the motor showed a very high (90%) rotation rate per ATP used. This is of course the opposite function (possibly shown by the flagellum) but indicates the good design. The experiment involved fixing the motor to a glass slide and attacing an actin filament to the end. Substrate was added to the solution and the speed of rotation of the filament was measured.