New York Nail Technician License Practice Test

Bacteria that propel themselves using flagella are called what?

1. Cocci

2. Bacilli

3. Spirilla

4. Viruses

The correct answer is: Bacilli

The question pertains to the classification of bacteria based on their shapes and mobility. Bacteria that propel themselves using flagella are specifically referred to as "spirilla." These are spiral or corkscrew-shaped bacteria that have flagella at one or both ends, allowing them to move with a distinctive twisting motion. This specialized structure is key to their mobility and is an essential feature that sets them apart from other bacterial shapes. Cocci refer to spherical bacteria and do not utilize flagella for movement, while bacilli are rod-shaped bacteria, which can be motile or non-motile depending on their structure but are not specifically associated with flagella in the same way spirilla are. Viruses, on the other hand, are not classified as living bacteria and do not belong to this category; they lack cellular structures such as flagella entirely. Thus, "spirilla" is the most accurate term for bacteria that propel themselves with flagella.