Differences Between Cilia and Flagella

 

Flagella are the complex filamentous cytoplasmic structure protruding through cell wall. These are unbranched, long, thread like structures, mostly composed of the protein flagellin, intricately embedded in the cell envelope.

Cilia are slender, microscopic, hair-like structures or organelles that extend from the surface of nearly all mammalian cells (multiple or single).

S.N.	Characteristics	Cilia	Flagella
1	Definition	Cilia are short, hair like appendages extending from the surface of a living cell.	Flagella are long, threadlike appendages on the surface of a living cell.
2	Number	Numerous	Less in Number
3	Length	Short and hair like organelle (5-10µ)	Long wipe like organelle (150µ)
4	Occurrence	Occurs throughout the cell surface.	Presence at one end or two ends or all over the surface.
5	Cross section	Nexin arm present.	Nexin arm absent
6	Density	Many (hundreds) per cell	Few (less than 10) per cell
7	Beating	Cilia beat in a coordinated rhythm either simultaneously (synchronous) or one after the other (metachronic).	They beat independent of each other.
8	Motion	Rotational, like a motor, very fast moving	Wave-like, undulating, sinusoidal, slow movement compared to cilia
9	Found in	Eukaryotic cells	Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
10	Energy Production	Cilia use ‘kinesin’ which has an ATPase activity that produces energy to perform the movement.	Flagella are powered by the proton-motive force by the plasma membrane.
11	Functions	Helps in locomotion, feeding circulation, aeration, etc.	Help mainly in locomotion only.
12	Examples	Cilia present in Paramecium	Flagella present in Salmonella