The hook-shaped object in the middle of the image is a flagellum. It is a long, thin appendage that helps bacteria to move.
The hook-shaped object in the middle of the image is a flagellum. It is a long, thin appendage that helps bacteria to move.
Flagella are made of a protein called flagellin. They are attached to the cell wall at one end and have a rotary motor at the other end. When the motor turns, it spins the flagellum, which propels the bacterium forward.
Flagella are very important for bacteria. They help them to find food, escape from danger, and mate. Some bacteria also use their flagella to form colonies.
Here is a closer look at a flagellum:
You can see the rotary motor at the base of the flagellum. The motor is powered by a proton gradient, which is a difference in the concentration of protons across the cell membrane.
The flagellum is a very complex and efficient machine. It is one of the many amazing things about bacteria.