Scribd
Upload
47 views2 pages

Flagella 1

Flagella are tail-like structures that enable cell movement, primarily found in bacteria and some animal cells. They consist of two types: prokaryotic flagella, which rotate like motors, and eukaryotic flagella, which move in a wave-like motion. Flagella play crucial roles in locomotion, environmental sensing, and reproductive processes, having evolved independently across different organisms.

Uploaded by

shadhin.teach
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
47 views2 pages

Flagella 1

Flagella are tail-like structures that enable cell movement, primarily found in bacteria and some animal cells. They consist of two types: prokaryotic flagella, which rotate like motors, and eukaryotic flagella, which move in a wave-like motion. Flagella play crucial roles in locomotion, environmental sensing, and reproductive processes, having evolved independently across different organisms.

Uploaded by

shadhin.teach
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Assignment 1- Summer 2025 Submitted to: Md.

Miraj K Choudhury
Course No. GEB 101 (Basic Biology) Section: 4
Date of submission: August 1, 2025 Student ID: 2025-2-77-031

Flagella

1. Introduction:

Flagella are long, tail-like structures that help cells move. They are usually found in
bacteria and some animal cells. They are involved in locomotion. Cells use flagella to move around
their environment. Scientists study flagella to understand how microorganisms move, interact with
their environment, and cause disease.

2. Discovery and detailed structure:

Flagella were first observed in 17th century by Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, the father of
microbiology using his hand-crafted microscope. Later in 20th century with the help of electron
microscopes scientists got the clear view of flagella.

There are two main types of flagella:

• Prokaryotic flagella (in bacteria): Made of a protein called flagellin and rotate like
a motor.
• Eukaryotic flagella (in animals): Made of microtubules and move in a wave-like
motion.

A typical flagellum has three parts:

• Basal body
• Hook
• Filament

1 of 2
Assignment 1- Summer 2025 Submitted to: Md. Miraj K Choudhury
Course No. GEB 101 (Basic Biology) Section: 4
Date of submission: August 1, 2025 Student ID: 2025-2-77-031

3. Functions:

The primary function of flagella is locomotion, it helps the cell to move from one place to
another. Flagella also help with taxis, meaning sensing and responding to the environment. In
animals, sperm cells use flagella to reach the egg for fertilization. In microbes, flagella help some
bacteria stick to surface and form protective communities.

4. Distribution and estimated evolution:

Flagella are widely found in:

• Bacteria (e.g., [Link])


• Archaea
• Some protozoa
• Sperm cells of animals

Scientists believe flagella evolved independently in different types of organisms, which is why
bacterial flagella and eukaryotic flagella are built differently. This different kind of evolution is
called convergent evolution. Their structures differ, but they serve in one main function and that is
locomotion.

5. Conclusion:

Flagella may look simple and tiny, but they play a very important role in helping cells
move, sense, and survive. From swimming bacteria to fertilizing sperm, these tiny tails have huge
biological importance.

2 of 2

You might also like