Flagellates may be solitary, colonial (Volvox), free-living (Euglena), or parasitic (the disease-causing Trypanosoma). Parasitic forms live in the intestine or bloodstream of the host. Many other flagellates (dinoflagellates) live as plankton in both salt and fresh water.

Protozoa ingest their food in two ways. The first is a process called phagocytosis, in which a flexible portion of the cell membrane surrounds a food particle and engulfs it, bringing it into the cell in a vacuole. Phagocytosis is used to ingest other unicellular organisms or large particles.

They move and feed by forming extensions of their cells, called pseudopods (“false feet”) or pseudopodia. Amoeboids engulf food particles by extending pseudopodia around the prey. As the cytoplasm surrounds the prey to form a food vacuole, enzymes are released into the vacuole that digest the prey.

Proteomics Data Validate Model of Bacterial Growth Why it matters: Bacteria are among the fastest reproducing organisms in the world, doubling every 4 to 20 minutes. Some fast-growing bacteria such as pathogenic strains of E.

The absence of a flagellum leads to altered colony morphology, biofilm development and virulence in Vibrio cholerae O139.

The bacterial flagellar motor is powered by the transmembrane electrochemical gradient of ions, namely ion motive force (IMF) and rotates the flagellar filament to generate thrust to propel the cell body.

The flagellum is a lash-like appendage that protrudes from the cell body and usually measures 5–20μm in length and 10–30nm in diameter.

The three structures you are going to study today are cilia (cilium is singular), flagella (flagellum is singular), and pseudopods are all important cell structures. They are used for movement and/or getting food. Cilia are very short while flagella are long. Another difference is how many are found on cells.

Although plants (and their typical cells) are non-motile, some species produce gametes that do exhibit flagella and are, therefore, able to move about. Plants can be broadly categorized into two basic types: vascular and nonvascular.

two flagella