flagella

(noun)

A flagellum is a lash-like appendage that protrudes from the cell body of certain prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Related Terms

  • microaerophilic
  • enteritis
  • movement
  • chemotaxis
  • electrolyte

Examples of flagella in the following topics:

  • Spirochaetes

    • They are often distinguished from other bacterial phyla by the location of their flagella.
    • The flagella, in spirochaetes, runs lengthwise between the inner and outer membranes in the periplasmic space.
  • Chemotaxis

    • Some bacteria, such as E. coli, have several flagella per cell (4–10 typically) .
    • Counter-clockwise rotation - aligns the flagella into a single rotating bundle, causing the bacterium to swim in a straight line.
    • Clockwise rotation - breaks the flagella bundle apart such that each flagellum points in a different direction, causing the bacterium to tumble in place.
    • The directions of rotation are given for an observer outside the cell looking down the flagella toward the cell.
    • Change in the rotation state of a single flagellum can disrupt the entire flagella bundle and cause a tumble.
  • Opisthokonts: Animals and Fungi

    • In contrast, flagellate cells in other eukaryote groups propel themselves with one or more anterior flagellae.
    • Most fungi do not produce cells with flagellae, but the primitive fungal chytrids do, suggesting that a common ancestor of current fungal species did have a flagellum.
  • Morphologically Unusual Proteobacteria

    • It is a genus comprising elongated forms with clusters of flagellae at both poles.
    • These cellular appendages are neither pili nor flagella, as they are extensions of the cellular membrane and contain cytosol.
  • Cholera

    • V. cholerae bacteria begin production of the hollow cylindrical protein flagellin to make flagella.
    • These flagella are cork-screw helical fibers that rotate to propel the bacteria through the mucus of the small intestine.
    • Once the cholera bacteria reach the intestinal wall, they no longer need the flagella to move.
  • Noncholera Vibrios

    • All members of the genus are motile and have polar flagella with sheaths.
  • Batch Culture of Bacteriophages

    • To enter a host cell, bacteriophages attach to specific receptors on the surface of bacteria, including lipopolysaccharides, teichoic acids, proteins, or even flagella.
  • Facultative Phototrophy

    • Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a single celled green alga about 10 micrometres in diameter that swims with two flagella .
  • Cytophaga and Relatives

    • In this specific type of locomotion, the exact mechanisms are unknown, but it is known that this process does not require a flagella.
  • Overview of Proteobacteria

    • Many move about using flagella, but some are nonmotile or rely on bacterial gliding.
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