Cilia and Flagella

Let us have a look at the important characteristics of cilia and flagella to understand how each one is different from the other.

Grouped into the category of protozoans, class Ciliata, in the Ciliated epithelium of the Metazoa and other classes.
It is usually present on the outer body surface such as larva of certain Mollusca, Annelida, and Nemertines, thus helping in locomotion.
It has similar structures and function as that of flagella, but cilium is shorter and movement is quite different.
They are present in large numbers.
Cilia exhibit beating motion.
Cilia often cover the entire cell.
They fuse into some protozoans to form cirri.

These are present in protozoans, choanocyte cells of Metazoa and in other classes- in plants, in gamete cells, and in algae.
They are fairly long.
They are fewer in number.
It exhibits a coiled motion.
They are usually found at one end of the cell.
Flagella usually do not fuse.