Biology: Compare And Contrast The Structure And Function Of Flagella

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There are several external appendages that can occur on a prokaryote including pili, fimbriae, and flagellum. Each of these structures have different roles including mobility and adhesion.
Pili are structures made up of the protein pilin. Pili allow for conjugation between cells which allows cells to transfer a portion of their DNA to another cell.
Fimbriae are fibers extending from the cell wall that allow the cell to adhere to other cells and surfaces including those that may be difficult to attach to like rocks and glass.
Flagella is similar to a tail on bacteria. It is used to propel the bacteria through its environment. The flagella can be positioned in several places on the cell. There are several ways flagella can be arranged. In a polar arrangement, the flagella can be:
• singular and located at one end, known as monotrichous,
• singular and located at both ends, known as amphitrichous, or
• small bunches or tufts originating from the same site, known as lophotrichous.
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Mobility occurs in response to chemotaxis, or a chemical stimulant or signal and the cell will either move towards the stimulant or away from it in a series of movements, known as runs and tumbles. A run occurs when the flagellum rotates counterclockwise. During a run in cells with multiple flagella, they will all sweep to one end in order to propel the cell in one direction. In order to turn, the cell performs a tumble, where the flagellum rotates clockwise. In cells with peritrichous, the flagella are no longer grouped at one end and rotate