Pili
Pili
Pili (pronunciation: pee-lee) are hair-like appendages found on the surface of many bacteria and archaea.
Etymology
The term "pili" comes from the Latin word for "hair".
Definition
Pili are thin, rigid fiber-like structures present on the cell surface of prokaryotic organisms. They are primarily composed of pilin proteins and are used by bacteria for several functions, including adherence to host cells, DNA transfer during conjugation, and movement.
Types of Pili
There are three main types of pili:
- Fimbriae - These are short, thin, hair-like structures that enable bacteria to adhere to other cells.
- Sex Pili - These are longer and less common than fimbriae. They are involved in bacterial conjugation, allowing for the transfer of DNA between two bacterial cells.
- Type IV Pili - These are involved in a wide range of functions, including twitching motility, DNA uptake (competence), and adherence to host tissues and other cells.
Related Terms
- Bacteria - Microscopic single-celled organisms that can be found in diverse environments.
- Archaea - Single-celled microorganisms that constitute a domain and kingdom of life separate from bacteria.
- Prokaryote - A unicellular organism that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus, mitochondria, or any other membrane-bound organelle.
- Conjugation (biology) - The transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells by direct cell-to-cell contact or by a bridge-like connection between two cells.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pili
- Wikipedia's article - Pili
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