Perforator Pilus
| 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) are found on the surface of many microorganisms and resemble fine hairs. Tens to hundreds of pili may be present on the surface of a microorganism and serve one of several purposes, including roles in predation. Pathogenic microorganisms use pili for virulence either to attach and bind to host tissues, or to invade past the outer membrane to gain access to the cytoplasm. Many similar pili exist but are not evolutionarily related and 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.
Read more on this organelle's Wikipedia page.