Abstract
Movement of a proposed controlling factor along the growing flagellum is considered as a special case of one-dimensional diffusion with a moving boundary. Flagellar elongation, which involves polymerization of the building units at the distal tip, is viewed as taking place in a series of steps. The concentration of the controlling factor at the tip is computed as a function of the distance of the tip from the base, and the time between polymerization reactions. It is proposed that the concentration of this factor at the tip is responsible for regulating the flagellar growth rate and final length.
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Levy, E.M. Flagellar elongation as a moving boundary problem. Bltn Mathcal Biology 36, 265–273 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02461328
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02461328