Question

How do flagella differ in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Answer 1

Hint: The flagellum is the organ for locomotion in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It is sensitive to temperature and chemicals in the external environment. The flagellum is filamentous protein structures.

Complete answer:
Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes have cilia and flagella for locomotion. It is present in the organisms like bacteria, archaea, and sperm. It enables them to swim freely in the fluids or use as a locomotors organ.

The flagella of prokaryotes differ greatly to that of eukaryotes in a number of ways.

Prokaryotic flagella	Eukaryotic flagella
It is made up of proteins called flagellin	It is made up of protein called tubulin
Their structural organisation lack microtubules	They are made up of microtubules.
The prokaryotic flagella is smaller and thinner	The eukaryotic flagellum is thicker and larger.
The prokaryotic flagellum is located outside the cell membrane.	The eukaryotic flagellum is attached to the cell membrane through basal bodies.
The prokaryotic flagellum is not covered with protective sheath.	The eukaryotic flagellum is covered with protective sheath.
The prokaryotic flagella exhibit rotatory movement.	The eukaryotic flagella exhibit bending movement.
It moves in clockwise- anticlockwise direction.	It moves in back and forth undulatory movement.
It is present one in number.	It can range from one to many.
Example flagella present in Bacteria.	Example flagella present in human sperm.

Note: Another locomotory organ present in the eukaryotic organisms is cilia. They are present in multiple numbers. These are small hair like protuberance. These serve the function of locomotion of the cell or on the fluids on the cell surface. The ciliated epithelium present in the intestine helps in movement of food.