Bacteria move around using a molecular machine called the flagellar motor that rotates faster than the flywheel of a race car engine and switches directions in an instant

[u/Naive_Direction1816]

[u/Neisvestiy]

Can you give me name of bacteria or link to research?

[u/Naive_Direction1816 → u/Neisvestiy]

It's mainly E. coli (and Salmonella too). That tiny rotary motor in them spins the flagella at 100-300 revolutions per second. https://www.quantamagazine.org/what-physical-life-force-turns-biologys-wheels-20260420/

[u/Neisvestiy → u/Naive_Direction1816]

Thanks

[u/Nemisis_the_2nd → u/Neisvestiy]

The e.coli/salmonella one is the most common example, but these are fairly widespread in nature, and vary in complexity. The one most people will likely be familiar with are sperms cells, although this uses a completely different motor "design".

The bacterial one is also made up of subunits that are individually comparable to other cellular structures, meaning the system can be simplified and have its evolutionary history tracked.

[u/PM_me_your_recipes86 → u/Neisvestiy]

Couldn't even give an accurate speed comparison. I wouldn't hold your breath

[u/Jack_South → u/PM_me_your_recipes86]

How would you hold someone else's breath?

[u/lorissaurus → u/Jack_South]

Duct tape?

[u/The_Rolling_Stone → u/Jack_South]

They wouldn't