Bacterial flagella and movement

The flagellum is a lash-like appendage which protrudes from the cell body of certain eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. The canonical role of the flagellum is locomotion but it also often has function as a sensory organelle being sensitive to temperatures and chemicals outside the cell. The Flagella are organelles described through function rather than structure. There are huge differences among different kinds of flagellum that are; the eukaryotic and prokaryotic flagella differ greatly in protein composition, structure and mechanism of propulsion moreover both are used for swimming.

It has been long been known which type of bacteria swim through rotating their tail-like structure called the flagellum. Rotating motion of the flagellum is powered through a molecular engine located at the base of the flagellum. Right as engaging the clutch of a car connects its gear to its delivers and engine power to its wheels engaging the molecular clutch of a bacterium connects its gear to its delivers and engine power to its flagellum.