The hydrodynamics of swimming microorganisms

@article{Lauga2009TheHO,
  title={The hydrodynamics of swimming microorganisms},
  author={Eric Lauga and Thomas R. Powers},
  journal={Reports on Progress in Physics},
  year={2009},
  volume={72},
  pages={096601}
}
  • E. LaugaT. Powers
  • Published 15 December 2008
  • Biology, Engineering
  • Reports on Progress in Physics
Cell motility in viscous fluids is ubiquitous and affects many biological processes, including reproduction, infection and the marine life ecosystem. Here we review the biophysical and mechanical principles of locomotion at the small scales relevant to cell swimming, tens of micrometers and below. At this scale, inertia is unimportant and the Reynolds number is small. Our emphasis is on the simple physical picture and fundamental flow physics phenomena in this regime. We first give a brief… 
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