What are Cilia?

What are Cilia?

• A. Cilia
• B. Bristles
• C. Suckers
• D. Mollusk

Answer: (A)

Cilia are hair-like projections that extend from the surface of many cells. They can beat in a coordinated way to move fluids across the cell surface or to propel the cell itself. In the human body, motile cilia line the airways to sweep mucus out of the lungs, and they also help move eggs through the fallopian tubes. Structurally, these projections are built from microtubules in a characteristic 9+2 arrangement and are powered by dynein motors, which create the whip-like motion. They’re distinct from bristles (non-specialized external hairs on some animals), suckers (adhesive discs used for gripping), and mollusks (a whole group of animals). So the term that describes these hair-like cell extensions is indeed cilia.

Cilia are hair-like projections that extend from the surface of many cells. They can beat in a coordinated way to move fluids across the cell surface or to propel the cell itself. In the human body, motile cilia line the airways to sweep mucus out of the lungs, and they also help move eggs through the fallopian tubes. Structurally, these projections are built from microtubules in a characteristic 9+2 arrangement and are powered by dynein motors, which create the whip-like motion. They’re distinct from bristles (non-specialized external hairs on some animals), suckers (adhesive discs used for gripping), and mollusks (a whole group of animals). So the term that describes these hair-like cell extensions is indeed cilia.