Ejecting flagella could help microbes save energy during nutrient depletion

(PLOS) In favorable conditions, many bacteria propel themselves to food sources and other sites of interest using whip-like molecular propellers known as flagella. However, according to new research published on March 19 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology, by Josie Ferreira and colleagues of Imperial College London, members of the bacterial class Gammaproteobacteria eject their flagella when nutrients are scarce.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news