Flagellum: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
flagellum
[ flษหdสษlษm ]
biology structure
A flagellum is a long, whip-like appendage that enables certain cells, particularly bacteria and sperm cells, to swim. It is composed of microtubules in a characteristic '9+2' arrangement in eukaryotic cells. Flagella can also serve sensory functions, detecting changes in the environment. In bacteria, the movement generated by flagella is crucial for their motility and ability to navigate towards nutrients or away from harmful substances.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The sperm cell propels itself using its flagellum.
- Bacteria use their flagella to swim through liquids.
- The detection of chemical stimuli is aided by flagella.
- The structure of the flagellum is crucial for bacterial motility.
- Flagella can vary in number and arrangement among different species.
Translations
Translations of the word "flagellum" in other languages:
๐ต๐น flagelo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคพเค
๐ฉ๐ช Peitsche
๐ฎ๐ฉ flagelum
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะฐะปะธัะบะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ bicz
๐ฏ๐ต ้ญ (ใใก)
๐ซ๐ท flagelle
๐ช๐ธ flagelo
๐น๐ท kamรงฤฑ
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฑ์ฐ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุณูุท
๐จ๐ฟ biฤ
๐ธ๐ฐ biฤ
๐จ๐ณ ้ญๅญ
๐ธ๐ฎ biฤ
๐ฎ๐ธ sleggjur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะพาาั
๐ฌ๐ช แฌแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ รงubuq
๐ฒ๐ฝ flagelo
Etymology
The word 'flagellum' is derived from Latin, where it means 'whip,' derived from the verb 'flagellare,' which means 'to whip'. This term is quite fitting as it describes the whip-like motion of the structure it represents. The biological usage of the term began in the 19th century, emerging alongside advances in microscopy and biology that revealed the finer details of cell structure and movement. Early microbiologists discovered flagella while studying motility in bacteria, leading to a deeper understanding of cellular functions and movement. Given its Latin roots, the term has also been used in various scientific disciplines, offering a consistent terminology for describing similar whip-like structures in different organisms, including algae and protozoa. The flagellum has become a fundamental concept in both biology and microbiology, serving as an essential feature for understanding the locomotion and behavior of various microorganisms.