Cilia and Flagella - Definition, Structure, Function

What Are Cilia and Flagella?

 

Somebody cells have projections for moving the entire cell known as flagella, long, hair-like structures and moving substance along the surface of the cell known a cilia, short, hair-like structures. Cilia are shorter and numerous than flagella.

 

Both cilia and flagella made up of 9 pairs of microtubules arranged in a circle.

 

Cilia and flagella are projections from the cell. They are composed of microtubules.

 

Read here the difference between cilia and microvilli.

 

Structure of Cilia and Flagella

 

 

 

Also check out here structure of mitochondria.

 

Cilia 

 

Cilia projections are numerous and short, resembling many hair-like structures. They are cilia.  Cilia are present on the surface of the cell in numerous numbers.

Each cilium made up of a core of 20 microtubules surround by plasma membrane.

 

Function of Cilia

 

Cilia are like short, hair-like structures appearances that are used to move entire cells, for example - Paramecium or move substances along the outer surface of the cell.

 

For example,

Cilia in cells lining the Fallopian tubes (uterine tube) that move the oocyte (egg cells, ovum) toward the uterus, in the female reproductive tract.

 

Cilia are greater number in present of cilia lining the cells of the respiratory tract that trap dust particles matter and move the mucus and dust particles toward the nostrils. It keeps away from reach to lungs and helps keep the lungs clear of debris.

 

Flagella

 

Flagella projection are few and long, hair-like structures in proportion to the size of the cell mainly occurring singly or in pairs. It extend from the plasma membrane and are used to move an entire cell.

The only  example of flagellum in human body is the tail of a sperm used for locomotion.

 

Cilia Vs Flagella

 

The Major Difference between cilia and flagella -

 

Ciliated cells often have hundreds of cilia, present in numerous number but flagellated cells usually have a single flagellum.

Movement of water by a flagellum is parallel to its axis and cilia have waving or beating motion.