What is a filament?

• A thin wire that gives off the light in a bulb is called a filament.
• Due to the heating effect of electric current, the filament heats up, becomes red hot and starts glowing when an electric current is passed through it.
• Filaments are usually made up of tungsten.

A filament is a thin, thread-like structure that has various meanings depending on the context in which it is used:

1. In Botany:
   The filament is a slender stalk-like part of the stamen in a flower. It supports the anther, which produces pollen. Together, the filament and the anther form the male reproductive part of a flower.
2. In Physics/Electricity:
   A filament is a fine wire or thread, often made of tungsten, that becomes hot and emits light when an electric current passes through it. It is commonly found in incandescent light bulbs.
3. In Biology:
   Filaments refer to long, thin, thread-like structures, such as:
   • Actin filaments in cells, which are part of the cytoskeleton and help in cell movement and shape.
   • Bacterial filaments, which are part of the shape or structure of certain bacteria.
4. In Astronomy:
   Filaments are large-scale thread-like structures of galaxies or dark matter in the universe, forming part of the cosmic web.
5. In Materials Science:
   A filament can refer to a continuous strand of material, like the filament used in 3D printing or textile fibers.