Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Amphitrichous describes bacteria that have a single flagellum on each of two opposite ends. This arrangement aids in their motility and ability to navigate through their environments.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Amphitrichous flagella are found in certain species of bacteria, allowing them to move efficiently in liquid environments.
The presence of amphitrichous flagella is a key characteristic for bacterial identification and classification.
Bacteria with amphitrichous flagella can change direction quickly by reversing the rotation of their flagella.
Amphitrichous bacteria can exhibit chemotaxis, moving towards or away from chemical stimuli using their flagella.
Electron microscopy is often used to visualize the amphitrichous arrangement of flagella in bacterial cells.
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Related terms
Monotrichous: Bacteria with a single flagellum at one end.
Lophotrichous: Bacteria with multiple flagella located at the same spot on the cell surface.
Peritrichous: Bacteria with flagella distributed over the entire surface of the cell.