monotrichous
single flagellum
Monotrichous is a term used to describe the arrangement of flagella (hair-like appendages) on the surface of a bacterium or other microorganism. In a monotrichous arrangement, there is a single flagellum at one end of the organism.
The word “monotrichous” comes from the Greek words “monos” meaning “single” and “trichos” meaning “hair”. This arrangement is important for the motility of the organism because the flagellum acts like a propeller that spins and moves the organism in a particular direction.
Many types of bacteria have a monotrichous arrangement of flagella. For example, Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera, has a single flagellum at one end. Similarly, the bacterium Escherichia coli, which lives in the human gut, has a single flagellum at one end that helps it move towards nutrients.
A monotrichous arrangement is different from other arrangements like peritrichous or lophotrichous, which have multiple flagella either all over the surface or clustered at one end.
More Answers:
Exploring the Importance of Lophotrichous Flagellation in Bacterial Motility and DirectionalityUnderstanding Atrichous Bacteria: Types, Characteristics, and Importance in Microbiology
Discovering Microbial Movement: Unraveling the Amphitrichous Flagella Arrangement on Microorganisms