Flagellum

Organelle Details
Flagellum
Base Cost (MP)	55
Requires Nucleus	No
Processes	None
Enzymes	None
Size (Hexes)	1
Osmoregulation Cost	1
Storage	0.5
Unique	No
Upgrades	None
Internal Name	flagellum

Hair-like filaments on the outside of a cell which use ATP to increase cell movement speed in one direction. Thrust is applied in the opposite direction to the outward-facing direction of the Flagellum.

Requirements

If organelle upgrades are enabled in game settings, at least one of the following condition must be true for the player cell:

• Has speed below 15.
• Produces at least +15 ATP .

Processes

No processes.

Modifications

No modifications.

Effects

Each Flagellum provides directional thrust in the direction opposite its orientation. They also provide partial thrust in directions near the exact opposite direction (to be precise, those for which the component of that exact opposite vector is positive). Whenever a Flagellum is active, it consumes ATP .

Upgrades

No upgrades.

Strategy

Speed is important for both predators and prey, so Flagella are a common sight in the microbial environment. Unless your cell is predominantly sessile, we recommend adding at least some Flagella to help you chase and escape from other cells, especially to offset the speed decrease after evolving a Nucleus.

Watch out for your cell's ATP balance. It's possible for a cell to survive with overall negative balance if you move only in short bursts and produce enough ATP to sustain yourself when the consumption induced by Flagella is ignored.

Scientific Background

TBA