Centriole
Animal Cells (absent in most higher plants)
A precise cylinder of microtubule triplets — the organiser of the cell's internal geometry.
Back to Boutique
Rp 2.100.000
Rp 4.400.000
Specialized Eukaryotic Cells
Flagellum
The long current.
A long whip-like tail that propels a cell with a sustained undulating stroke.
Rp 2.600.000
A note
The campaign imagery is a fictional luxury concept. Toggle to Scientific X-Ray for the labelled biological illustration.
Structure
Long, filamentous projection extending from the cell surface. In eukaryotic cells, flagella are surrounded by a plasma membrane and typically contain a 9+2 arrangement of microtubules with dynein motor proteins. In bacteria, flagella have a different structure consisting of a helical filament made of flagellin, connected through a hook to a rotary motor embedded in the cell envelope.
Function
Enables cellular locomotion. Eukaryotic flagella generate wave-like movements through ATP-dependent bending, whereas bacterial flagella rotate to propel the cell through its environment.
Where Found
Some animal cells, such as sperm cells, many unicellular eukaryotes and certain bacteria and archaea. Flagellated sperm also occur in some plant groups.
Why It Matters
Flagella allow cells to move through liquid environments, enabling activities such as sperm movement and the movement of unicellular organisms. In motile bacteria, flagella can enable directed movement towards favourable conditions, such as higher nutrient concentrations, or away from harmful environments.
Structure → Function
Eukaryotic flagella bend via ATP-powered microtubule sliding; bacterial motors turn the helical filament to propel the cell.
Pairings
Rp 3.600.000
Cilia
Specialized Animal Cells
Short rhythmic projections that sweep fluid across a cell surface or sense the world.
Plasma Membrane
All Cells
The living barrier that separates the cell from the world and decides what may cross.