Whiplike tails found in one-celled organisms to aid in movement are called?

• A. Flagella
• B. Cilia
• C. Pseudopodia
• D. Microvilli

Answer: (A)

Movement in many single-celled organisms is driven by whip-like protrusions called flagella. These tails propel the cell by spinning like a rotor or beating in a wave, pushing water to move the organism forward. This is different from cilia, which are many short projections that beat together to move the cell or move fluid around it; pseudopodia, or false feet, are temporary extensions the cell reaches out with to creep and crawl; and microvilli, which are tiny surface folds that increase area for absorption rather than locomotion. So the whip-like tail used for movement is the flagellum.