Perforator Pilus: Difference between revisions
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== Scientific Background == | == Scientific Background == | ||
Pili (singular | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilus Pili] (singular ''pilus''; also known as ''fimbriae'') are rigid, hollow hair-like structures found on the surface of many real-world microbes. | ||
Tens to hundreds of pili may be present on the surface of a microbial cell, where they serve various purposes including roles in predation. Pathogenic microbes use pili for virulence, either to attach and bind to host tissues, or to penetrate the outer membrane of a host cell to gain access to the cytoplasm. | |||
Pili also can play a role in facilitating [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizontal_gene_transfer horizontal gene transfer], in which two microbes link together via their pili and use them to exchange small circular pieces of DNA known as plasmids in a process termed '''Conjugation'''. This is an extremely common phenomenon in prokaryotes of all kinds, and it can frequently play a major role in microbial evolution; one of the more commonly-encountered (and problematic) manifestations of this is the spread of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_resistance antibiotic resistance] among different strains of pathogenic bacteria, wherein a bacterium which has evolved a resistance to an antibiotic will pass along genes conferring that resistance to another bacterium, thus rendering the second bacterium immune to that particular antibiotic as well. | |||
Many types of pili exist, but they are not all evolutionarily related and in many cases have resulted from convergent evolution. A single organism may have the ability to express several types of pili and those that are present on the surface are constantly being changed and replaced. | |||
Latest revision as of 00:51, 6 July 2025
| Organelle Details | |
|---|---|
| Perforator Pilus |  |
| |
| Base Cost (MP) | 30 |
| Requires Nucleus | No |
| Processes | None |
| Enzymes | None |
| Size (Hexes) | 1 |
| Osmoregulation Cost | 1 |
| Storage | 0 |
| Unique | No |
| Upgrades | Injectisome Pilus |
| Internal Name | pilus |
Combat organelle used to stab other cells. Cells attacked with a Perforator Pilus lose significant health.
Also defends against toxins by parrying toxin projectiles.
Requirements
If organelle upgrades are enabled in game settings, at least one of the following condition must be true for the player cell:
- Has engulfed at least 5 cells across all generations.
- Has died at least 5 times across all generations.
Processes
No processes.
Modifications
No modifications.
Effects
If a cell has a Perforator Pilus, cells of other species are dealt significant damage if they come into contact with it. If both cells have Perforator Pili, they may instead block each other's attack.
Perforator Pili also block toxin projectiles. See Oxytoxisome and Toxin Vacuole.
Upgrades
Injectisome Pilus
For 25 mutation points, modify Perforator Pili once placed to transform them into Injectisome Pili. When these strike enemy cells, they also deal toxin damage. Membrane types which reduce damage from toxins also reduce damage from Injectisome Pili.
Strategy
Cells equipped with Perforator Pili become effective predators and can damage any cell, even those with toxin resistance or an engulfment-resistant membrane. They must though be placed with care and require skill to fight with.
Perforator Pili can also act as powerful deterrents for prey. Balls of spikes are unlikely to be seen as an easy meal.
Scientific Background
Pili (singular pilus; also known as fimbriae) are rigid, hollow hair-like structures found on the surface of many real-world microbes.
Tens to hundreds of pili may be present on the surface of a microbial cell, where they serve various purposes including roles in predation. Pathogenic microbes use pili for virulence, either to attach and bind to host tissues, or to penetrate the outer membrane of a host cell to gain access to the cytoplasm.
Pili also can play a role in facilitating horizontal gene transfer, in which two microbes link together via their pili and use them to exchange small circular pieces of DNA known as plasmids in a process termed Conjugation. This is an extremely common phenomenon in prokaryotes of all kinds, and it can frequently play a major role in microbial evolution; one of the more commonly-encountered (and problematic) manifestations of this is the spread of antibiotic resistance among different strains of pathogenic bacteria, wherein a bacterium which has evolved a resistance to an antibiotic will pass along genes conferring that resistance to another bacterium, thus rendering the second bacterium immune to that particular antibiotic as well.
Many types of pili exist, but they are not all evolutionarily related and in many cases have resulted from convergent evolution. A single organism may have the ability to express several types of pili and those that are present on the surface are constantly being changed and replaced.