whiplash beat

Description:

Euglena (you-glean-a) is the iconic genus of euglenoid flagellates. The body is typically spindle-shaped, although two flagella arise in a pocket within the cell only one emerges (and sometimes none). The body can squirm, and the cell has one to many chloroplasts. At the anterior of the body a thin channel (flagellar canal) leads to the flagellar pocket, and alongside this is a contractile vacuole. A red eyespot or stigma is assoicated with the bottom of the flagellar canal. This image is included to show the pattern of beat of the flagellum. It is called a whiplash beat because a loop is made to progress along the flagellum. Flagella are usually held pointed to the side and slightly to the rear. The progression of the loop along the flagellum makes the cell move forward in a spiral path. Phase contrast.