What: "Also the prokaryote flagella are very different in structure from the eukaryotic flagella! Here's a good way to think about bacterial vs eukaryotic flagella. Imagine clamping a rope to a drill bit and turning the drill on. As the drill bit rotates the rope flops around as mechanical energy is transferred from the rotating drill bit. The rope itself is passive, only moving because it is getting energy from the drill bit. That is like the prokaryote flagellum. The eukaryotic flagellum is like holding a snake in your hand. The snake is moving on its own not because of mechanical energy from your hand. The snake is active."

Writer: Paul Decelles

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Date: Oct 29 2013 3:44 PM