Flagellar motion causes water currents In prokaryotes such as bacteria, flagella serve as propulsion mechanisms; they’re the chief way for bacteria to swim through fluids. This contact with the flagellum facilitates concentration of phage particles around the receptor on the bacterial cell surface. Flagella have an active role in aiding cell feeding and eukaryotic reproduction.
Functions of Flagella. The singular form of flagella is flagellum. Flagella are generally used for locomotion of cells, such as the spermatozoon and Euglena (protozoan). This is the structure of flagella … Depending on the organism, a flagellum consists of different structures. The word flagellum in Latin means whip, just like the whipping motion flagella (plural) often use for locomotion. In bacteria, flagella are made of the protein flagellin. Flagellum, hairlike structure that acts primarily as an organelle of locomotion in the cells of many living organisms. Some DNA bacterial viruses use flagella to attach to the host cell. Flagella, characteristic of the protozoan group Mastigophora, also occur on the gametes of algae, fungi, mosses, slime molds, and animals. Flagellum is a lash-like appendage that protrudes from the cell body of certain bacteria. Specialized flagella in some organisms are also used as sensory organelles that can detect changes in temperature and pH. In eukaryotes, flagella consist of microtubules surrounded by a plasma membrane. A flagellum is a microscopic hair-like organelle used by cells and microorganisms for movement.