Flagella propel cells while pili attach to surfaces and transfer DNA during conjugation.
The flagellum is a rotary motor powered by proton motive force that spins up to about 100 revolutions per second. Pili (fimbriae) mediate adherence; the sex pilus joins cells for conjugation.
Flagella arrangements: monotrichous, lophotrichous, peritrichous. Type IV pili allow twitching motility and DNA uptake.
Example: motility helps pathogens reach host cells.
Flagella propel cells while pili attach to surfaces and transfer DNA during conjugation.
Bacterial Flagella and Pili is one of the 54 topics in Microbiology. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Conjugation, Bacterial Chemotaxis, Bacterial Genetics.
Helicobacter pylori swims through stomach mucus using flagella.
Work through the Beginner topics in Microbiology first, such as Microorganisms, Bacteria, Archaea, then return to Bacterial Flagella and Pili. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Bacterial Flagella and Pili are Conjugation, Bacterial Chemotaxis, Bacterial Genetics, Mycorrhizae. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Bacterial Flagella and Pili. To practise the whole of Microbiology, use the Microbiology quiz.
Bacterial Flagella and Pili: Flagella propel cells while pili attach to surfaces and transfer DNA during conjugation. Conjugation: Direct transfer of DNA, such as a plasmid, between bacterial cells through a pilus. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Conjugation and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Microbiology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Direct transfer of DNA, such as a plasmid, between bacterial cells through a pilus.
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