A bacterial cell with a single flagellum is described as what arrangement?

A bacterial cell that has a single flagellum is described as monotrichous. This term specifically refers to the presence of one flagellum located at one pole of the bacterial cell. The arrangement of flagella is an important characteristic used in classifying different types of bacteria, as it can significantly affect their movement and behavior in various environments.

In contrast, peritrichous refers to bacteria that have flagella distributed around the entire surface of the cell. Amphitrichous describes bacteria that have a single flagellum at both ends of the cell. The term locale does not refer to a flagellar arrangement in bacteria. Thus, the identification of a bacteria with a single flagellum being monotrichous is accurate and fundamental in understanding its motility mechanisms.