Question

Describe how cilia and flagella bend.

Short answer

The flagella and cilia are the structures associated with locomotion. The bending of cilia and flagella takes place with the help of dynein.

Step-by-step solution

Description of cytoskeleton organization

The cell shape and support happen with the help of the cytoskeleton.It is the network of fibers that form the cytoskeleton arrangement. It extends along with the structure of the cytoplasm.

There are three important components present in the cytoskeleton such as microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments.

Definition of flagella and cilia

Flagella and cilia are the microtubule extension present in the cell. The flagella are the locomotory appendages present in a unicellular organism. For example, bacteria possess flagella for their locomotion.

The cilia are appendages that are similar to the antenna. It is responsible for sensing cell signals.

Bending of cilia and flagella

The doublets of microtubules move with the help of the dynein arms. ATP facilitates this mechanism. The dynein arms are attached to flagella or cilia, which bends the microtubule doublets.

The dyenin arms consist of two feet which mediate this process—nine doublets work to make the cilia and flagella bend.