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

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...

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

Microtubules in Signaling

Microtubules in Signaling

The primary cilium, made up of microtubules, acts as antennae on the cell surfaces for relaying external stimuli into the cells. These fine hair-like structures are present, generally one per cell. These are non-motile cilia in a 9+0 microtubules arrangement, where the central pair of microtubules are absent. The primary cilia arise from the basal body embedded in the cell membrane. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) carries requisite proteins from the cytoplasm to the cilium because the primary...

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...

Convergent Evolution

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

Mechanism 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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

A 1000-Fold Fentanyl Dosing Error Across Five Editions of the Grossman Baim Cardiac Catheterization Literature.

Journal of patient safety·2026

Same author

Propulsive nanomachines: the convergent evolution of archaella, flagella and cilia.

FEMS microbiology reviews·2020

Same author

In vivo analysis of outer arm dynein transport reveals cargo-specific intraflagellar transport properties.

Molecular biology of the cell·2018

Same author

C11orf70 Mutations Disrupting the Intraflagellar Transport-Dependent Assembly of Multiple Axonemal Dyneins Cause Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

American journal of human genetics·2018

Same author

Abdominal Compression by Waist Belt Aggravates Gastroesophageal Reflux, Primarily by Impairing Esophageal Clearance.

Gastroenterology·2017

Same author

The gastric acid pocket is attenuated in <i>H. pylori</i> infected subjects.

Gut·2016

Same journal

Evolutionary and Biochemical Perspectives on the Incorporation and Utilization of Selenocysteine.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology·2026

Same journal

The Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter: From Parts to Signaling Networks.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology·2026

Same journal

Growth Control and Beyond: Functional Diversity and Regulation of the Hippo Pathway in the Nervous System.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology·2026

Same journal

Structural Studies of Core Hippo Pathway Components.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology·2026

Same journal

The Hippo Pathway in Intestinal Regeneration, Fetal Reprogramming, and Tumorigenesis.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology·2026

Same journal

A Synergy between Genetics and Biochemistry Unravels the Molecular Architecture of the Hippo Signaling Pathway.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 14, 2026

In vivo Evaluation of Mucociliary Clearance in Mice

In vivo Evaluation of Mucociliary Clearance in Mice

Published on: December 18, 2020

Evolution of Cilia.

David R Mitchell¹

¹Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology

|September 25, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cilia, microscopic cell structures, have fascinated scientists since the 1600s. This study explores their evolutionary origins and development from the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA).

More Related Videos

Observation of the Ciliary Movement of Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cells Ex Vivo

Observation of the Ciliary Movement of Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cells Ex Vivo

Published on: July 13, 2015

Simple Detection of Primary Cilia by Immunofluorescence

Simple Detection of Primary Cilia by Immunofluorescence

Published on: May 15, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 14, 2026

In vivo Evaluation of Mucociliary Clearance in Mice

In vivo Evaluation of Mucociliary Clearance in Mice

Published on: December 18, 2020

Observation of the Ciliary Movement of Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cells Ex Vivo

Observation of the Ciliary Movement of Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cells Ex Vivo

Published on: July 13, 2015

Simple Detection of Primary Cilia by Immunofluorescence

Simple Detection of Primary Cilia by Immunofluorescence

Published on: May 15, 2020

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Evolutionary Biology
Microscopy

Background:

Anton van Leeuwenhoek's 17th-century observations revealed cell motility via cilia.
Modern research deepens understanding of ciliary mechanics and biochemistry.
The evolutionary origins of complex ciliary structures remain a significant question.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize the characteristics of cilia in the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA).
To explore the evolutionary trajectory of cilia after LECA.
To speculate on the selective pressures driving early ciliary evolution.

Main Methods:

Literature review of historical and recent research on cilia.
Comparative analysis of ciliary structures across eukaryotic lineages.
Theoretical modeling of evolutionary processes.

Main Results:

Reconstruction of potential ciliary features in LECA.
Identification of key evolutionary innovations in cilia post-LECA.
Hypotheses on the functional advantages driving ciliary evolution.

Conclusions:

Cilia are ancient organelles with a complex evolutionary history.
Understanding ciliary evolution is crucial for comprehending fundamental biology.
Further research can illuminate the selective forces shaping these essential cellular structures.