“Tumbling” motility is shown by:
**Core Concept**
"Tumbling" motility is a characteristic movement pattern exhibited by certain bacteria, particularly those belonging to the genus Campylobacter. This unique motility pattern is a result of the bacteria's ability to change direction rapidly, giving the appearance of "tumbling" or "end-over-end" movement. This motility is often associated with the presence of a single polar flagellum.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The "tumbling" motility in Campylobacter species is facilitated by the presence of a single polar flagellum, which is responsible for generating the force required for movement. The flagellum is attached to the cell's surface at a single pole, allowing the bacterium to rotate and change direction rapidly. This unique motility pattern is an important characteristic used in the identification of Campylobacter species in clinical microbiology laboratories.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the "tumbling" motility pattern is not typically associated with bacteria that exhibit peritrichous flagellation, such as Escherichia coli.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the "tumbling" motility pattern is not characteristic of bacteria that exhibit monotrichous flagellation, such as Bacillus subtilis.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because the "tumbling" motility pattern is not typically associated with bacteria that exhibit no flagellation, such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Campylobacter species are a common cause of gastroenteritis in humans, and the identification of these bacteria in stool samples is often facilitated by the observation of their characteristic "tumbling" motility pattern in wet mount preparations.
**Correct Answer:** D. Campylobacter species.