Cilia and Flagella

Structure and Function in

Eukaryotes
By Justin Robbins and Katrina Truebenbach
 Overview
 Cilia and Flagella are
organelles that are
primarily used for the
transportation of the cell.
They propel the cell by
flicking back and forth.
 Cilia are short and
reminiscent of hairs.
There are many per cell.
 Flagella are longer and
there are far fewer per
cell. They are reminiscent
of a tail.
 Real-life Examples:
Eukaryotes
 Most common in single-celled organisms
(protists).
 However, some multi-cellular organisms have
cilia and flagella.
 Human windpipe cells and some lung cells have cilia
to clean the respiratory system of breathing hazards.
 Fish have cilia to help bring water through the gills.
 Many types of sperm have flagella to help them
move.
 Structure: 9+2 Pattern
 Cilia or flagella is composed of
microtubules that are encased in a
plasma membrane. This bundle of
microtubules is called the axoneme.
 A plasma membrane is made of lipids
and proteins and is essentially the same
as a normal cell membrane.
 There are 9 pairs of connected
microtubules in a circle towards the
outside edge of the cilia/flagella. These
are called the outer microtubule
doublets.
 The outer microtubules are connected
to each other in a ring with cross-links
(not pictured).
 The outer microtubules also connect to
the center structure with radial spokes.
 These outer microtubules surround
another pair of central microtubules,
which are not connected.
 Structure: Basal Body
 The 9+2 pattern
continues throughout the
entire organelle until the
base.
 The base is called the
Basal Body. It is the
foundation of the cilia or
flagella and is embedded
in the cell membrane.
 It does not have a pair of
central microtubules.
Instead, it has nine
triplets of microtubules.
 How They Work: Dynein Arms
 Each of the outer microtubule pairs
have a set of dynein, a functional
protein, arms.
 These arms change shape and
subsequently create a sliding force,
therefore moving the tubule pairs.
 Since the pairs are held together
with cross-links and are anchored in
the cell membrane, the
microtubules bend as a result of
this force.
 If they were not held together, the
force exerted would cause the two
doublets to slip past each other.
 This bending motion makes the cilia
or flagella to flick back and forth,
therefore propelling the cell
forwards.
 How They Work: ATP
 The change of shape
of the dynein arms is
powered by ATP.
 ATP, or Adenine-Tri-
Phosphate, is
molecule that most
cells use as their main
energy source.
 Differences in Motion:
single-celled organisms
 Cilia movement is well timed with each
other and propel the organism in a wave-
like motion.
 Flagella in eukaryotes give the organism
smoother movement.
 Flagella in prokaryotes rotate, like a motor.
 Primary Cilia
 Primary Cilium are an alternate type of cilia.
They do not aid in motion and are therefore
referred to as immotile cilia.
 Primary cilia do not have central microtubules.
They have a 9+0 structure.
 They have sensory functions.
 Examples: monitoring flow in the kidneys and
detecting smells.
 Defects in kidney primary cilia can lead to
kidney disease.
 Sources
 Campbell, Mitchell, and Reece. "Cilia and Flagella Move When Microtubules Bend."
Biology: Concepts and Connections. 3rd ed. Reading, Massachusetts:
Benjamin/Cummings, 2000. 65. Print.
 Campbell, Mitchell, and Reece. "Glossary." Biology: Concepts and Connections. 3rd
ed. Reading, Massachusetts: Benjamin/Cummings, 2000. G-18. Print.
 Cilia and Flagella. Photograph. University of Illinois. Web. 21 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/lectf03am/cilia_flagella.jpg>.
 Davidson, Michael W. "Cilia and Flagella." Molecular Expressions. Florida State
University, 13 Dec. 2004. Web. 21 Nov. 2010.
<http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/ciliaandflagella/ciliaandflagella.html>.
 Diagrams of Cilia and Flagella. Digital image. Both Brains and Beauty. Web.
<http://www.bothbrainsandbeauty.com/academic-discussions/cilia-vs-flagella-
461>.
 Diagrams of Dynein Arms. Digital image. University of Illinois. Web. 21 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/lectures/07_35_flagellas_bend-
L.jpg>.
 Kimball, John W. "Cilia and Flagella." Kimball's Biology Pages. 28 July 2007. Web. 21
Jan. 2010.
<http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/C/Cilia.html>.