Expert: Walter Hintz - 11/10/2005

Question
I am working on a microbiology project and have run into some questions.
I am wondering how you can determine which is more efficient, cilia or flagella; given certain conditions in their habitat. i.e. what is better for certain conditions. And also how to decide when there should be flagella at both ends, or if there should be only one, etc. I am designing a microorganism that will be in a marine environment and need to decide how it will move around the water. Thank you for any help.

Answer
Hi pam
 I think the best way to determine this is to research the organisms that move with cilia and flagella.  Whatever method that these organisms use has to be the most efficient.
 Get hold of a good invertebrate text and examine the flagellates like Euglena and ciliates like Paramecium.  You might also want to look at bacteria such as Bacillus subtillus and Salmonella.
 I know of no organisms with flagella at both ends.