Please differentiate between pilli, fimbrae and flagella (in case of a bacterial cell).

​Hi Atul,
Please find below the solution to the asked query:

Pili, fimbriae and flagella are structurally similar and are composed of proteins arranged in a helical form. However, they differ in their functions.

Pili are hair like structures on the surface of bacterial cell that help it to attach with other bacterial cell during DNA transfer by conjugation. They are longer than fimbriae. Their number ranges from 3 to 5 per cell.

Fimbriae are bristle like structures on the surface of bacterial cell that help it to attach with substratum for colonisation. The are smaller in size. Their number ranges from 300-400 per cell.

Flagella are whiplike structures in bacteria that help in the locomotion. They are longer in size and their number ranges from 1 to many . Flagella have three parts basal body, filament and hook.

Hope this information will clear your doubts about the difference between pili, fimbriae and flagella
If you have any more doubts just ask here on the forum and our experts will try to help you out as soon as possible.

Regards

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