CH391L/S12/Locomotion
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Locomotion
Flagella
The bacterial flagellum is the most common and thoroughly studied prokaryotic motility structure used for swimming in aqueous environments and in some organisms enabling swarming across solid surfaces. The flagellum is a very complex organelle consisting of over 20 proteins (denoted "flg, flh, fli, flj") and as many as 30 proteins assisting in regulation and assembly. The main structure consists of 3 main substructures: the basal body, which anchors the structure in the cell membrane and contains the motor; the filament which acts as the propeller; and the hook, a joint which connects the basal body and filament. Rotation of the filament to generate movement is driven by the proton motive force, whereby H