Mastigoneme
Mastigonemes are lateral "hairs" on the flagella of stramenopile protists; very similar hairs also occur on flagella of cryptophyte protists. They are approximately 15 nm in diameter, and usually consist of a tubular shaft that itself terminates in smaller "hairs". It is believed that they assist in locomotion by reversing the thrust caused when a flagellum beats. The consequence is that the cell is drawn into the water and particles of food are drawn to the surface of heterotrophic species. More flaccid hairs occur on other protists, such as euglenids.
Typology of flagella with hairs:
Observations of mastigonemes using light microscopy dates from the nineteenth century.. Considered artifacts by some, their real existence would be confirmed with electron microscopy.
