Microbial Primer: The bacterial flagellum – how bacteria swim
Judith P. Armitage
Abstract
Bacteria swim using membrane-spanning, electrochemical gradient-powered motors that rotate semi-rigid helical filaments. This primer provides a brief overview of the basic synthesis, structure and operation of these nanomachines. Details and variations on the basic system can be found in suggested further reading.
Topics & Concepts
FlagellumBacteriaPrimer (cosmetics)BiologyMicrobiologyBiophysicsNanotechnologyChemistryMaterials scienceGeneticsOrganic chemistryPhotosynthetic Processes and MechanismsProtist diversity and phylogenyPhotoreceptor and optogenetics research