Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cell possessing a flagellum: A flagellated cell is any biological cell that is equipped with one or more flagella. A flagellum is a long, whip-like appendage that enables the cell to move or propel itself through a liquid medium.
   • A unicellular organism with a flagellum: The term can also refer to a single-celled organism (a protozoan or a type of algae or bacterium) that uses a flagellum for locomotion.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Sperm cells are classic examples of flagellated cells in animals.
  • The biologist observed the flagellated cell under the microscope as it swam rapidly across the slide.
  • Many protozoa, such as Euglena, are flagellated cells.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Context: In microbiology and cell biology, "flagellated cell" is a precise descriptive term for categorizing cells based on their motility structures.
  • The presence of flagellated cells in the sample indicated a potential bacterial infection.

Variants and Related Words

• Flagellum (n): The singular form of the whip-like organelle itself.
  • The bacterium's flagellum rotates like a propeller.
• Flagella (n): The plural form of flagellum.
  • The cell had multiple flagella at one end.
• Flagellate (v/adj/n): As a verb, to whip or lash; as an adjective, possessing flagella; as a noun, an organism with flagella.
  • Some algae are flagellate organisms.
• Cilium / Ciliated Cell: A related but distinct structure; cilia are shorter and more numerous hair-like structures used for movement or sensing.

Synonyms

• Motile cell: A cell capable of movement.
• Flagellate organism: A single-celled organism that uses a flagellum.

Related Terms (Not direct synonyms but often found in similar contexts)

• Spermatozoon: A specific, highly specialized type of flagellated cell.
• Protozoan: A broad category of single-celled organisms, many of which are flagellated.
• Bacterium with polar flagella: A specific description for certain prokaryotic flagellated cells.

Noun

1. any cell or one-celled organism equipped with a flagellum