PRESENTATION OUTLINE
The main function of cilia is to move liquid past the surface of the cell.
Some other functions of cilia are that they keep the respiratory track, lungs, and middle ear clear of mucus and dirt so you can breathe easily. Another function is that some can receive signals from other cells or fluids. And lastly, sometimes cilia don't function properly and they can actually give you cilia related diseases, this is usually a problem with the intraflagellar transport.
Cilia was first discovered by Anton Van Leeuwenhoek in 1675. He was conducting microscopic observations and the initial light was the cilia beating to it's rhythm. But the discovery was largely ignored and during this time cilia was observed on a variety of cells until they were able to propose an idea for the rhythmic beating.
One of the most common cilia related diseases is primary ciliary dyskinesia. It is a rare genetic lung disease where the cilia are abnormal and don't move. This causes the mucus to build up and causes blockage and infections in the airways. There is no cure.
