Bacterial External Structures and Motility

Start with the overview

Begin with the mind map on an introduction to prokaryotes. It brings together bacteria, archaea and features of prokaryotic organisms. Use it to establish the context for the bacterial structures covered elsewhere on this page.

Then look at External Structure of Bacteria. The mind maps with this title cover the glycocalyx and flagella; one also includes axial filaments, fimbriae, pili and cell walls. Follow the branches to see which structures you want to study in more detail.

Practice structures and movement

The Bacteria: Motility flashcards ask about parts of the flagellum, energy conservation and rotation. Try answering each prompt before looking at the response. Return to the mind maps when you want to place a structure alongside the other features they cover.

Another flashcard deck asks about capsules and flagella, including where the flagellum attaches and what drives its rotary motor. A separate deck covers biofilms. Choose the prompts that match the part of the topic you are studying.

Use the quiz with a map

After studying a mind map, try the quiz on the page. Note any question you are unsure about, then look for the relevant structure in the maps or flashcards. You can return to those resources before trying the question again.

The maps offer a way to organize terms, while the flashcards provide prompts for recalling details. Teachers can also use the listed materials when selecting resources for this university-level topic.

Place the topic in its unit

Bacterial External Structures and Motility is a section of the unit Microbial Cell Structure, Diversity and Classification in the subject Microbiology and immunology. The overview of prokaryotes and the maps of bacterial structures provide a starting point for connecting this section with that unit.

Choose a mind map and follow it with a flashcard deck.