Which description correctly identifies Euglena’s locomotion feature?

Which description correctly identifies Euglena’s locomotion feature?

• A. Flagella
• B. Cilia
• C. Pseudopodia
• D. Fimbriae

Answer: (A)

Locomotion in Euglena is driven by a flagellum, a whip-like tail that extends from the cell and beats to propel the organism through water. This single, long appendage provides directional swimming and is a hallmark of Euglena’s movement. Cilia are short, numerous projections used by other protists to swim or move food, not typical for Euglena. Pseudopodia are temporary extensions that enable amoeboid crawling, not the whip-like propulsion seen here. Fimbriae are bacterial structures used for adhesion, not motility in protists. So the correct description is a flagellum.

Locomotion in Euglena is driven by a flagellum, a whip-like tail that extends from the cell and beats to propel the organism through water. This single, long appendage provides directional swimming and is a hallmark of Euglena’s movement. Cilia are short, numerous projections used by other protists to swim or move food, not typical for Euglena. Pseudopodia are temporary extensions that enable amoeboid crawling, not the whip-like propulsion seen here. Fimbriae are bacterial structures used for adhesion, not motility in protists. So the correct description is a flagellum.