But virtually all other cells have a primary cilium. Likewise, for many years it was generally assumed that the entire phylum Nematoda, comprising roundworms, completely lacked cilia or flagella.

Shelby is an assistant editor for The Scientist. She earned her PhD from West Virginia University in immunology and microbiology and completed an AAAS Mass Media fellowship. View Full Profile. Learn ...

Inside the red blood cells, he saw round, pigment-filled moving bodies with flagella-like protrusions. Because bacterial flagella can’t be seen with a light microscope, “that really convinced him that ...