undulating membrane
Rippling cellular fin
An undulating membrane is a fin-like structure found in certain single-celled organisms, formed by a flagellum attached along the length of the cell body.
The membrane ripples in wave-like motions to propel the organism through fluid environments.
It appears in parasites like *Trypanosoma*, which causes sleeping sickness, and in *Trichomonas*.
The term also describes a similar structure in sperm cells of some species.
- ciliaHairlike cellular projections
- protozoaSingle-celled eukaryotic organisms
- waveOscillating motion through medium
- body waveChemical hair-curling process
- rippleMinor surface disturbance
oscillation · parasite · motility · propulsion · fin · serpentine · sinuous · rhythm · pulsating · microorganism · cell · locomotion · wavelike · flowing · quivering · protist · giardia · parasitic infection
- microbe partscytoplasm, nucleus, flagellum, flagella, cilia
- TrypanosomesTrypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, flagellum
- appendagesfins, fin, flipper, flippers, tail
- ciliatesparamecium, vorticella
- protist structuresflagellum, pellicle, nucleus, contractile vacuole, cell body
undulate, undulated, undulates, undulation, undulations, membrane, membranes, membranous