[Campbell Biology P.163] Which of the following comparisons between cilia and flagella is IN... | Practice Question
Which of the following comparisons between cilia and flagella is INCORRECT?
A: Motile cilia usually occur in large numbers and are shorter than flagella, which are generally limited to one or a few per cell and are longer.
B: Flagella typically exhibit an undulating, fish-tail like motion, while motile cilia perform alternating power and recovery strokes.
C: Both motile cilia and flagella primarily function in cell propulsion or moving fluid over cell surfaces.
D: Primary cilia are typically motile and serve as the main locomotive appendages for most vertebrate animal cells.
Explanation
Motile cilia are numerous and shorter, while flagella are longer and fewer. They also have distinct beating patterns. Primary cilia are distinct from motile cilia and flagella as they are typically nonmotile and act as signal-receiving antennae, crucial for cellular signaling and development, not locomotion.