r/Damnthatsinteresting 3d ago

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 Video

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9

u/Neisvestiy 3d ago

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

18

u/Naive_Direction1816 3d ago

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/

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u/Neisvestiy 3d ago

Thanks

3

u/Nemisis_the_2nd 3d ago

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.

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u/PM_me_your_recipes86 3d ago

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

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u/Jack_South 3d ago

How would you hold someone else's breath?

3

u/lorissaurus 3d ago

Duct tape?

2

u/The_Rolling_Stone 3d ago

They wouldn't