FLAGELLUM

Flagellum

A flagellum is a lash-like appendage that protrudes from the cell body of certain prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The word flagellum in Latin means whip. The primary role of the flagellum is locomotion but it also often has function as a sensory organelle, being sensitive to chemicals and temperatures outside the cell. Flagella are organelles defined by function rather than structure. There are large differences between different types of flagellum; the prokaryotic and eukaryotic flagella differ greatly in protein composition, structure, and mechanism of propulsion, however both are used for swimming.

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flagellum

Noun

  1. In protists, a long, whiplike membrane-enclosed organelle used for locomotion or feeding.
  2. In bacteria, a long, whiplike proteinaceous appendage, used for locomotion.
  3. A whip


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: flagellum
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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