Question

multiple choice question
bacteria swim by ______.

• whipping the flagellum filament back and forth like an oar
• adhering to surfaces and pulling the cell akin to a person climbing a ladder
• constantly changing the electrical charges to pull and repulse
• spinning the flagellum filament like a propeller

Explanation:

Bacteria with flagella swim by rotating their flagellum filament, which functions like a propeller to generate movement. The other options are incorrect: flagella don't whip like an oar, adhering to surfaces is not swimming, and changing electrical charges isn't the mechanism for bacterial swimming.

Answer:

D. spinning the flagellum filament like a propeller