Cells with flagella in kingdom animal

[heatherinblack]

Our micro textbook, in discussing flagella in kingdom animal gives the following phrase 'like sperm and others'. Can anyone give me an example of another animal kingdom cell that has flagella (not cilia) besides sperm?

cheers. heatherinblack.

[cherib]

Tons of protists have flagellum. Euglenophyta is one phylum I know for sure has flagellated single-celled animals. I would also check out the phylums Dinophyta, Parabasalia, and Kinetoplasta... Also, don't forget the Choanoflagellates- the ancestors of these organisms are thought to be what multicellular animals arose from! If you have the chance, check out the phylum Porifera (commonly known as sponges)... Porifera have special cells called choanocytes (they are unique to the Porifera phylum). These cells are very similar to the choanoflagellates, which are single-celled organisms! Pretty cool, huh?

[heatherinblack]

OK, just to be sure I get what you are saying...you are suggesting I check certain Animal phylums for cells with flagellum, but aren't sure yourself, yes? There are tons of Protista that have flagellum, but we are specifically looking for Animal cells.

[cherib]

Some protists are considered animals, just single-celled ones And the choanocytes I mentioned are found in sponges, also an animal.

[heatherinblack]

Protists are in Kingdom Protista, aren't they? Sponges are in Animal? Really? Wow, I would have though Fungi, but ok. I'll look into that.

Do you know of any cells in Humans that have flagella besides the sperm?

Thanks!

cheers. h.

[cherib]

Oh, I'm sorry- I misread your original post! I thought you were looking for info on flagellated eukaryotes for some reason! Yes, protists are classified in a separate kingdom than what we traditionally call "animals", however (according to my bio professor at least) there are a number of protist phyla that some argue should be categorized as animals or even plants (like chlorophytes). Sponges are DEFINITELY animals though, and I know choanocytes (which are a type of cell unique to the phylum Porifera) are definitely flagellated. I'm a wildlife bio major, so as far as humans go, I don't know much beyond basic anatomy/phys, but from what I can find, sperm are the only flagellated human cell. I'll dig up some old textbooks tonight if I have time, and see if I can find anything else out for you

[heatherinblack]

i think the way your interpreted my question was perfectly reasonable. if you have the chance to check, that would be awesome but you have given me tons of info already!

cheers. h.

[MrMistery]

there are cells that line your airways that have cilia. Now you're going to jump and say cilia and flagella aren't the same. They aren't, flagella are longer and there's fewer of them on one cell. However, from the perspective of a cell biologist, they are very similar (they have the same structure). There is essentially no difference between the two asides from length.

But if you want to be dogmatic, then yes, sperm is the only cell with flagella.