Types of Flagella | CHAPTER 2 | Microbiology & Parasitology for Nurses

Types of Flagella – Basic microbiology, parasitology, and immunology; nature, reproduction, growth, and transmission of common microorganisms and parasites in Bangladesh; prevention including universal precaution and immunization, control, sterilization, and disinfection; and specimen collections and examination. Students will have an understanding of common organisms and parasites caused human diseases and acquire knowledge about the prevention and control of those organisms.

Types of Flagella

Flagella are filamentous, elongated, whip-like structures originating from the cytoplasmic membrane of bacterial cell and gives motility to the bacteria. It is composed of protein called flagellin.

• Peritrichous: When multiple flagella distributed around a bacterial cell. Example: E. coli, Salmonella.
• Amphitrichous: When a single flagellum remains at each pole. Example: Pseudomonas.
• Lophotrichous: When a tuft of flagella remains at one pole of the bacterium. Example: tem Spirillium.
• Monotrichous: When a single flagellum remains at one pole of the bacterium. Example: Vibrio cholerae.

Fig: Different types of flagella

Function/Importance of Flagella:

• It is the organ of locomotion of bacteria i.e.- it gives motility to bacterial cell.
• Flagella may play role in pathogenesis by propelling the bacteria up the urethra into the bladder as in case of urinary tract infection by E. coli and proteus.
• It is antigenic, and antigenicity helps in typing & diagnosis of bacteria, e.g. salmonella. species are identified in the clinical laboratory by the use of specific antibodies against flagellar proteins.

Differences between Pili & Flagella:

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