Tag

Flagellum

All articles tagged with #flagellum

science1 month ago•11 min saved

Protons on a Spin: The Proton Motive Force Powers Bacteria’s Tiny Engine

The article describes how bacteria run on a proton motive force that powers the flagellar motor, a nanoscale engine at the base of the flagellum. Recent cryo-EM studies mapped the motor’s components—especially the C ring and its stators—revealing how protons drive rotation and how phosphorylation of CheY flips the motor to switch between running and tumbling, illustrating how proton energetics power core cellular processes and life’s physics-driven machinery.

via Quanta Magazine|

#bacterial-flagellar-motor #biophysics #cryo-em

science10 months ago•4 min saved

Scientists uncover how sperm defy a fundamental law of physics

Scientists have discovered that sperm and other microorganisms use a unique form of elasticity called 'odd elasticity' in their flagella, allowing them to swim efficiently in thick fluids by bending asymmetrically and bypassing traditional physics laws like Newton's third law. This discovery, supported by mathematical modeling and high-speed microscopy, could inspire new micro-robotic designs and improve understanding of microbial movement and human health issues related to cilia function.

via Earth.com|

#flagellum #fluid-dynamics #microorganisms

science2 years ago•3 min saved

"Unraveling the Mysterious Connection: Zebra Stripes and Sperm Tails"

Mathematicians have discovered a strange link between zebra stripes and sperm tails. Taking inspiration from how stripes and spots form in various organisms, researchers analyzed the patterns created by the flagellum of sperm. Using reaction-diffusion dynamics, they found that the beating motion of the flagellum generates oscillations that can be modeled with striped patterns. The researchers compared their simulations to experimental data from sperm and green algae, finding that their simplified model captured flagella movement. This study could have implications for understanding sperm motility and male fertility.

via ScienceAlert|

#biology #flagellum #mathematics