Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Flagella and Motility in Bacteria

Flagella 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...

Mechanisms of Membrane-bending

Mechanisms of Membrane-bending

The living membranes are flexible due to their fluid mosaic nature; however, their bending into different shapes is an active process regulated by specific lipids and proteins. The membrane bending can be transient as seen in vesicles or stable for a long time as in microvilli. Cells regulate the size, location, and duration of the membrane curvature.
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...

Deformations in a Symmetric Member in Bending

Deformations in a Symmetric Member in Bending

When analyzing the deformation of a symmetric prismatic member subjected to bending by equal and opposite couples, it becomes clear that as the member bends, the originally straight lines on its wider faces curve into circular arcs, with a constant radius centered at a point known as Point C. This phenomenon helps to understand the stress and strain distribution within the member more clearly.
When the member is segmented into tiny cubic elements, it is observed that the primary stress...

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules 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...

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

The straight or branched structure formation of actin filaments is controlled by nucleating proteins such as the formins and Arp2/3 complex. Formin-mediated assembly results in straight filaments, whereas Arp2/3 protein complex-mediated assembly results in branched actin filaments.
Arp2/3 Complex
Arp2/3 complex is a seven-subunit complex consisting of two proteins similar to actin- Arp2 and Arp3, and five other subunits that help keep Arp2 and Arp3 inactive. When required, the complex is...

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Cell design for pressure to 25 kbar.

The Review of scientific instruments·1979

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Investigating Flagella-Driven Motility in Escherichia coli by Applying Three Established Techniques in a Series

Investigating Flagella-Driven Motility in Escherichia coli by Applying Three Established Techniques in a Series

Published on: May 10, 2020

A model describing bending in flagella.

J E Schoutens¹

¹665 Shaw Street, PO Box 634, Los Alamos, CA 93440-0634 USA.

Journal of Biological Physics

|January 25, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study models sperm flagella bending, revealing how electric fields from microtubule dipole moments power dynein arms. Detachment of these arms generates waveforms essential for flagellar propulsion.

More Related Videos

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Published on: January 18, 2017

Measuring the Bending Stiffness of Bacterial Cells Using an Optical Trap

Measuring the Bending Stiffness of Bacterial Cells Using an Optical Trap

Published on: April 26, 2010

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Investigating Flagella-Driven Motility in Escherichia coli by Applying Three Established Techniques in a Series

Investigating Flagella-Driven Motility in Escherichia coli by Applying Three Established Techniques in a Series

Published on: May 10, 2020

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Published on: January 18, 2017

Measuring the Bending Stiffness of Bacterial Cells Using an Optical Trap

Measuring the Bending Stiffness of Bacterial Cells Using an Optical Trap

Published on: April 26, 2010

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Cell Biology
Mechanobiology

Background:

Sperm flagella generate propulsion through complex bending mechanisms.
The precise molecular forces driving flagellar waveform formation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a biophysical model for force generation and waveform formation in sperm flagella.
To investigate the role of microtubule dipole moments and dynein arm mechanics.

Main Methods:

Development of a theoretical model based on electrostatic interactions.
Calculation of flexural rigidity for dynein arms.
Analysis of force generation and bending in flagellar doublets.

Main Results:

Microtubule dimers possess dipole moments, generating electric fields that store mechanical work in dynein arms.
Detachment of dynein arms leads to bending, with waveform direction determined by the specific dynein set involved.
A rigor state occurs when all dynein arms are attached, resulting in zero net force.

Conclusions:

The proposed model explains flagellar bending and waveform generation through electrostatic forces and dynein arm dynamics.
The model is consistent with existing experimental observations of flagellar function.