lophotrichous

Lophotrichous is a term used in microbiology to describe a flagellar arrangement in motile microorganisms, most often bacteria. In lophotrichous cells, several flagella are grouped together at one end of the cell, forming a tuft or cluster. This arrangement is one of several widely recognized patterns, including monotrichous (a single flagellum at one pole), amphitrichous (flagella at both poles), and peritrichous (flagella distributed over the cell surface).

The polar tuft provides propulsion through the coordinated rotation of multiple flagella, typically driving the cell forward. The concentration of flagella at one end can influence swimming behavior, supporting rapid turning or directed motion when responding to environmental cues.

Observation and relevance: Lophotrichous flagellation can be observed using electron microscopy, which resolves multiple flagella emanating from a single pole. In routine light microscopy, flagella are often too small to resolve, so inference is based on culture characteristics and motility patterns. The arrangement may have taxonomic and ecological significance, reflecting adaptation to specific habitats such as aqueous environments.