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Cilia and flagella are two types of cell organelles that are structurally similar but differ in function and length. Cilia are short and numerous (hundreds) in number within each cell. Flagella, on the other hand, are longer and there are fewer of them per cell (usually one to eight). Even though eukaryotic flagella and motile cilia are structurally identical, their beating patterns can differ. Flagella move in an undulating, wave-like motion, whereas motile cilia move in a more complicated 3D motion with a power and recovery stroke. Cilia and flagella are cell external structures that primarily aid in cell locomotion. Cilia are short, hair-like structures that cover the surface of some cells in large numbers. Flagella are long, thread-like structures that can only be found at one end of a cell. Cilia beat in a synchronised rhythm, whereas flagella beat independently. Cilia are only found in eukaryotic cells. Flagella are present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Undulipodia organisms have both motile cilia and flagella. Cilia prevent dust from accumulating inside the breathing tubes by forming a thin layer of mucous along the tubes, whereas flagella are primarily used by sperm cells to propel themselves through the female reproductive organ.
History of Appendages:
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek discovered the first organelles in the late 17th century. He discovered motile (moving) cilia, also known as “little legs,” on “animalcules” (probably protozoa). Non-motile cilia were discovered much later, thanks to better microscopes. The majority of cilia are found in animals, in almost every type of cell, and have evolved to be conserved across many species. Plants, on the other hand, have some cilia in the form of gametes. The ciliary axoneme, which is covered by the plasma membrane, is made up of microtubules arranged in a pattern known as the ciliary axoneme. Intraciliary or intraflagellar transport occurs when the cell body produces ciliary proteins and transports them to the axoneme’s tip (IFT). According to scientists, cilia and their genesis account for approximately 10% of the human genome.
Difference between Flagella and Cillia:
Cilia and Flagella both are motility organs. The core of cilia and flagella is made up of microtubules that are connected to the plasma membrane and arranged in a 9 + 2 pattern. The pattern gets its name from the fact that it consists of a ring of nine microtubule paired sets (doublets) encircling two single microtubules. An axoneme is a microtubule bundle with a 9 + 2 arrangement. Basal bodies are modified centriole structures that connect the bases of cilia and flagella to the cell. The axoneme’s nine paired microtubule sets slide against one another, causing cilia and flagella to bend and move. The motor protein dynein is in charge of producing the necessary force for movement. This type of organisation is found in most eukaryotic cilia and flagella.Cilia and flagella are cell organelles that are structurally similar but differ in function and length.
Major Diffrences are:
| S. no | CILIA | FLAGELLA |
| 1. | Flagella are found in the sperm of many animals, algae, and even ferns. Prokaryotic organisms may have a single flagellum or multiple flagellums. A bacterium, for example, may have one flagellum at one end of the cell (montrichous), one or more flagella at both ends of the cell (amphitrichous), several flagella at one end of the cell (lophotrichous), or flagella distributed throughout the cell (lophotrichous) (peritrichous). | Cilia can be found in the respiratory tract and the female reproductive tract, among other places. Cilia help sweep mucus containing dust, germs, pollen, and other debris away from the lungs in the respiratory tract. Cilia in the female reproductive tract aid in the movement of sperm toward the uterus. |
| 2. | Flagella, on the other hand, are larger and more numerous per cell. | Cilia are small and abundant in the cell, measuring only a few millimetres in length. |
| 3. | Flagella have a long hair-like filamentous cytoplasmic complex structure. | Cilia have a slender, microscopic, short hair-like structure. Both have locomotive structures and are the most common organelles. They are only found in single-celled organisms. They also aid in processes such as respiration, circulation, and excretion. |
| 4. | Flagella can also be found in prokaryotic cells. Flagella are found in bacteria and sperm cells. | Cilia are found in paramecium organisms. |
Conclusion:
Hence we learnt that cells have two types of microscopic appendages: cilia and flagella. Cilia are found in animals and microorganisms, but not in most plants. Flagella are used for mobility in bacteria and eukaryotic gametes. Cilia and flagella both play a role in locomotion, but in different ways. Both rely on the motor protein dynein and microtubules to function.
