What is the Difference Between Slow and Fast Axonal Transport?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Slow and fast axonal transport are two mechanisms that facilitate the movement of materials within neurons. The main differences between them are the speed, cargo, and direction of transport.
Slow Axonal Transport:
- Occurs at a slower rate, with cytoskeletal components moving at a rate of 0.2–8 mm/day.
- Transports cytoskeleton polymers and protein complexes.
- Energy-dependent and requires an intact axonal cytoskeleton.
Fast Axonal Transport:
- Occurs at a rapid rate, with materials moving at a rate of 200-400 mm/day or 2-5 μm/second.
- Transports mitochondria, membrane-associated receptors, neurotransmitters, proteins, and synaptic vesicles.
- Bidirectional, moving materials both towards and away from the cell body.
Both slow and fast axonal transport are essential for the proper functioning of neurons, as they enable the transport of various materials along the length of the axon. While slow axonal transport is responsible for the movement of cytoskeletal components, fast axonal transport is involved in the transportation of essential components required for synaptic transmission and overall neuronal function.
Comparative Table: Slow vs Fast Axonal Transport
Here is a table comparing the differences between slow and fast axonal transport:
Feature | Slow Axonal Transport | Fast Axonal Transport |
---|---|---|
Rate | Less than 8mm per day | 200-400mm per day or 2-5μm per second |
Cargo | Cytoskeletal polymers and cytosolic protein complexes | Mitochondria, membrane-associated receptors, neurotransmitters, proteins, and synaptic vesicles |
Directionality | Unidirectional (towards cell body) | Bidirectional (towards and away from cell body) |
Components | Cytoskeleton components | Endogenous proteins and exogenously applied substances |
Mechanism | Largely unknown, but involves microtubule motors | Kinesin-1 and possibly other motor proteins |
Slow axonal transport moves cytoskeletal polymers and cytosolic protein complexes at a rate of less than 8mm per day. In contrast, fast axonal transport moves at a much faster rate, ranging from 200-400mm per day or 2-5μm per second. The two types of axonal transport have different directions, with slow axonal transport being unidirectional towards the cell body, while fast axonal transport is bidirectional towards and away from the cell body. The cargos transported in these processes also differ, with slow axonal transport carrying cytoskeletal polymers and cytosolic protein complexes, and fast axonal transport carrying mitochondria, membrane-associated receptors, neurotransmitters, proteins, and synaptic vesicles.
- Anterograde vs Retrograde Transport
- Slow vs Fast Twitch Fibers
- Myelinated vs Unmyelinated Axons
- Cytoplasmic vs Axonemal Dynein
- Fast vs Speed
- Active Transport vs Passive Transport
- Quick vs Fast
- Diffusion vs Active Transport
- Active Transport vs Facilitated Diffusion
- Fast vs Slow Metabolism
- Symport vs Antiport
- Axonal vs Demyelinating Neuropathy
- Active Transport vs Group Translocation
- Axons vs Dendrites
- Cisternal Maturation vs Vesicular Transport
- Osmosis vs Active Transport
- Ion Channel vs Transporter
- Astrocytes vs Oligodendrocytes
- Cotransport vs Countertransport