Flagellum

Definition

A flagellum is a whip-like structure that enables many microorganisms to move. It plays a crucial role in the motility of bacteria, aiding in their ability to locate nutrients and evade immune responses.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Flagella are essential for bacterial motility, allowing them to swim towards favorable environments or away from hostile ones.
2. The structure of a flagellum includes a filament, hook, and basal body which work together to create movement.
3. Some bacteria use flagella to enhance their virulence by aiding in the invasion of host tissues.
4. In adaptive immunity, the presence of flagella can be recognized by pattern recognition receptors on immune cells, triggering an immune response.
5. Flagellar proteins can act as antigens and be targeted by specific antibodies produced during an adaptive immune response.

Review Questions

• What are the main structural components of a bacterial flagellum?
• How do flagella contribute to bacterial virulence?
• Why are flagellar proteins significant in the adaptive immune response?

Related terms

Antigen: A molecule or molecular structure that can be bound by an antigen-specific antibody or B-cell receptor.

Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs): Receptors on immune cells that recognize common structural motifs found on pathogens.

Adaptive Immunity: The aspect of immunity that is mediated by B and T lymphocytes and characterized by specificity and memory.