Flagella swim by rotating, propelled by a motor embedded in the cell membrane.
Here's a breakdown of how bacterial flagella facilitate movement:
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Components of the Flagellum: The flagellum consists of three main parts:
- Motor: This is embedded within the bacterial cell membrane and is responsible for generating the rotational force. Like a car engine, the motor rotates to drive the movement of the filament outside. (Reference: 31-Mar-2022)
- Hook: This acts as a flexible joint connecting the motor to the filament.
- Filament: This is the long, whip-like structure that extends outward from the cell and generates thrust as it rotates.
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The Rotation Mechanism: The motor's rotation spins the filament. This spinning motion is what allows the bacterium to move through its environment.
In summary, flagella-based swimming is achieved through the rotation of a filament driven by a motor located within the cell membrane.
