Axil Fillament Flashcards
What are spirochetes?
A: Spirochetes are a group of bacteria with unique structure and motility.
Name two diseases caused by spirochetes and their causative agents.
Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, and Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.
How do spirochetes move?
Spirochetes move by means of axial filaments, also known as endoflagella.
What are axial filaments?
Axial filaments are bundles of fibrils that arise at the ends of the cell beneath an outer sheath and spiral around the spirochete.
Where are axial filaments anchored in a spirochete
: Axial filaments are anchored at one end of the spirochete
How does the rotation of axial filaments affect spirochete movement?
A: The rotation of axial filaments produces a spiral motion that propels the spirochete forward.
Q: What type of motion do spirochetes exhibit, and what is it similar to?
Spirochetes exhibit a corkscrew motion, similar to how a corkscrew moves through a cork.
Why is the corkscrew motion advantageous for spirochetes like T. pallidum?
The corkscrew motion likely enables spirochetes to move effectively through bodily fluids.
