The term "flagellated cell" refers to a cell that possesses a whip-like appendage known as a flagellum. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled as /fləˈdʒɛl eɪtɪd sɛl/. The stress is on the second syllable, "dʒɛl". The first syllable is pronounced as "flə" and the last syllable is pronounced as "tɪd". The spelling of this word emphasizes the characteristic feature of this particular cell type, namely the presence of flagella used for locomotion.
A flagellated cell is a type of specialized cell found in various organisms, characterized by the presence of flagella, whip-like structures that protrude from the cell surface and enable movement. These cells possess one or more flagella, which are thin, hair-like appendages composed of microtubules. The primary function of flagellated cells is locomotion, allowing the organism to navigate through its environment.
Flagella can be found in organisms from different domains of life, including bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. In unicellular eukaryotes such as protozoa, flagella are often used for both locomotion and capturing food. For instance, in the infamous pathogenic parasite Trypanosoma brucei, the flagellum allows the cell to move and evade the host immune system. Similarly, in human sperm cells, the flagellum enables the sperm to swim towards the egg during fertilization.
Flagellated cells are structurally diverse, exhibiting variations in size, number, and arrangement of flagella. Some organisms possess a single flagellum, while others may have two or more. The flagella can be located at different regions of the cell, including the anterior, posterior, or both ends. Furthermore, flagella may display a range of movement patterns, such as undulating, whip-like propulsion or a helical motion.
Overall, flagellated cells are vital for organisms that rely on locomotion for survival and reproductive purposes. Their presence and characteristics contribute to the diverse strategies employed by organisms to adapt and interact with their surroundings.
The term "flagellated cell" can be broken down into two parts: "flagellated" and "cell".
The word "flagellated" comes from the Latin word "flagellātus", which is the past participle of "flagellāre". "Flagellāre" means "to whip", and it is derived from the Latin word "flagellum", meaning "whip" or "lash". This term refers to the presence of a whip-like tail or appendage, called a flagellum, which is used for movement in certain organisms.
The word "cell" comes from the Latin word "cella", which means "small room" or "storeroom". In the context of biology, a cell refers to the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.