Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026
06:08
Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions
Published on: January 18, 2017
8.7K
Load Response of the Flagellar Beat
Gary S Klindt1, Christian Ruloff2, Christian Wagner2,3
1Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187 Dresden, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|December 31, 2016
Summary
Researchers quantified the force-velocity relationship of beating flagella in Chlamydomonas cells using microfluidic flows. A theory accurately predicted this relationship and linked flagellar energy efficiency to synchronization with external flows.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Cilia and flagella generate bending waves for propulsion and fluid pumping.
- Understanding their mechanical work and energy efficiency is crucial for cell motility and organismal function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the force-velocity relationship of a beating flagellum.
- To link flagellar energy efficiency with synchronization to external flows.
Main Methods:
- Exposing flagellated Chlamydomonas cells to controlled microfluidic flows.
- Quantifying the force-velocity relationship of the beating flagellum.
- Calibrating a theory of flagellar limit-cycle oscillations with measurements.
Main Results:
- A quantitative force-velocity relationship for beating flagella was determined.
- A simple theory successfully reproduced the measured force-velocity relationship.
- A direct link was established between flagellar beat energy efficiency and synchronization to oscillatory flows.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a quantitative understanding of flagellar mechanics under flow.
- The developed theory offers a predictive model for flagellar behavior.
- Findings advance knowledge of cellular propulsion and fluid dynamics at the microscale.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Flagella and Motility in Bacteria
4.4K
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...
4.4K
01:09Beats
1.5K
The study of music provides many examples of the superposition of waves and the constructive and destructive interference that occurs. Very few examples of music being performed consist of a single source playing a single frequency for an extended period of time. A single frequency of sound for an extended period might be monotonous to the point of irritation, similar to the unwanted drone of an aircraft engine or a loud fan. Music is pleasant and exciting due to mixing the changing frequencies...
1.5K
01:23Stringent Response in E. coli
431
Bacterial growth is closely tied to nutrient availability, with cells proliferating exponentially under favorable conditions and entering a stationary phase when resources become scarce. This transition is mediated by a regulatory mechanism known as the stringent response, which allows bacteria to adapt to nutrient deprivation by modulating gene expression and metabolic activity.During nutrient scarcity, intracellular amino acid levels decline. It results in the accumulation of uncharged tRNAs...
431
01:22Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
8.2K
The physiological function of a cell and cellular communication are outcomes of a range of extrinsic signals, intracellular signaling pathways, and cellular responses. No two cell types express the same repertoire of signaling components. Receptors are highly selective for their cognate ligands, but once activated, they can alter multiple cellular processes such as DNA transcription, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity.
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
8.2K
01:27Chemotaxis in E. coli
1.1K
Chemotaxis in Escherichia coli is a sensory-driven motility mechanism that enables bacteria to navigate chemical gradients, moving toward beneficial environments while avoiding harmful conditions. This process relies on a signal transduction system integrating external chemical cues with flagellar motor control.Chemoreceptors and Signal DetectionE. coli detects chemical gradients through methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs), which are membrane-bound chemoreceptors that sense attractants...
1.1K
01:16Cell Motility through Blebbing
2.6K
Blebs are a type of membrane protrusion formed by the internal hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm. Blebs are observed in several cell types, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and single-celled organisms like the amoeba. The primary function of blebs is cell locomotion and apoptosis, but they are also found during necrosis and cell division. The life cycle of a bleb comprises an initiation phase followed by the expansion and retraction phases.
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
2.6K