What is the function of the undulating membrane?

The undulating membrane functions like a fin and increases the motility of the organism.

What do you mean by undulating membrane?

Medical Definition of undulating membrane : a vibratile cytoplasmic membrane: a : a lateral expansion of the plasma membrane in some flagellates that is usually associated with a flagellum. b : a row of laterally fused long cilia associated in many ciliates with the oral structures.

What is the function of the Axostyle?

An axostyle is a sheet of microtubules found in certain protists. It arises from the bases of the flagella, sometimes projecting beyond the end of the cell, and is often flexible or contractile, and so may be involved in movement and provides support for the cell.

Which of the following protozoa have an undulating membrane?

Many protozoa have subpellicular microtubules; in the Apicomplexa, which have no external organelles for locomotion, these provide a means for slow movement. The trichomonads and trypanosomes have a distinctive undulating membrane between the body wall and a flagellum.

What do you mean by motility?

Medical Definition of motility 1 : the quality or state of being motile : capability of movement sperm motility. 2 : the ability of the muscles of the digestive tract to undergo contraction Patients with scleroderma may have abnormal motility of the small intestine …— Hani C. Soudah et al.

What is the difference between axoneme and axostyle?

The contractile axostyle is a ribbon-shaped organelle present in certain species of flagellates found in the hindgut of wood eating insects. Unlike the axoneme of cilia and flagella, however, the axostyle is composed of singlet microtubules linked together in parallel rows.

What is Cytostome in biology?

A cytostome (from cyto-, cell and stome-, mouth) or cell mouth is a part of a cell specialized for phagocytosis, usually in the form of a microtubule-supported funnel or groove. Only certain groups of protozoa, such as the Ciliophora and Excavata, have cytostomes.

Which cells are motile?

Motility denotes the capability of cells to exhibit self-generated, purposeful movement. Motile cells are ubiquitous in living organisms and play a crucial role in the fate and functions of human beings. Life begins thanks to sperm cells successfully swimming their way until they reach and fertilize an egg cell.