Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
07:59
Investigating Flagella-Driven Motility in Escherichia coli by Applying Three Established Techniques in a Series
Published on: May 10, 2020
Swimming with protists: perception, motility and flagellum assembly
Michael L Ginger1, Neil Portman, Paul G McKean
1School of Health and Medicine, Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK. m.ginger@lancaster.ac.uk
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|October 17, 2008
Summary
Cilia and flagella, crucial for cell movement, feature a
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Microbiology
Background:
- Ciliary and flagellar beating are fundamental for motility in eukaryotes.
- The '9+2' microtubule axoneme is the conserved core structure of motile cilia and flagella.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding eukaryotic flagella.
- To highlight protist physiology and cell biology related to flagellar function.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on flagella.
- Synthesis of findings from studies on flagellate protozoa and algae.
Main Results:
- Discussion of energy metabolism within eukaryotic flagella.
- Exploration of non-canonical flagellum assembly pathways.
- Analysis of flagellum's role in parasite virulence.
Conclusions:
- Recent work expands our knowledge of flagellar assembly, motility, and function.
- Flagella play diverse roles beyond simple motility, including in host-pathogen interactions.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diversity of Protists IV
Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...
01:27Diversity of Protists II
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
01:18Flagella and Motility in Bacteria
Flagella are specialized, thread-like structures that extend from a bacteria's cell envelope. They play a crucial role in motility and chemotaxis. Their structural organization and functioning exemplify sophisticated biological engineering, enabling bacterial survival and adaptability in diverse environments.Structure of the FlagellumA bacterial flagellum consists of three key components: the filament, the hook, and basal body. The filament, a long, helical structure composed of repeating...
01:39Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
01:24Microtubules in Cell Motility
Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...
01:15Diversity of Protists I
Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...