What Is the Locomotory Organ of Bacteria

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Detailed Solution

The locomotory organ of bacteria is the flagellum. Bacteria are microscopic single-celled organisms that move in liquids using a whip-like structure called a flagellum. It helps them swim toward nutrients or away from harmful substances.

Structure of Flagellum

Filament: The long tail-like part that moves.
Hook: Connects the filament to the base.
Basal Body: Anchors the flagellum to the bacterial cell wall and rotates it like a motor.

Types of Bacterial Flagella

Type	Description	Example
Monotrichous	One flagellum at one end	Vibrio cholerae
Lophotrichous	Many flagella at one end	Pseudomonas
Amphitrichous	Flagella at both ends	Spirillum
Peritrichous	Flagella all over the surface	Escherichia coli

Some bacteria without flagella move by gliding or twitching using pili. The flagellum helps bacteria adapt and survive in changing environments by moving toward favorable conditions.

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