What is the difference between locomotion and movement with examples
To perform the daily activities, we need to change our body positions or move our body parts as well as we need to move from one place to another.
Depending upon whether the place is changed or not, these processes are termed Locomotion and Movement.
Movement is the displacement of the body or body parts from their original position to a state of rest or motion. Whereas when the entire body displaces from one place to another in a specific direction, it is called Locomotion.
In the case of movement change of place does not take place.
Humans are able to perform all their physical activities because of the function of locomotion and movements of the body parts. We tend to make the mistake of using these two terminologies interchangeably when they have different meanings and different functions to perform. Although, both locomotion and movement help to put the human body into motion. In this article, we aimed at making you understand the difference between the two. Follow the full article to grasp the concept better.
Table of Content
An introduction
Muscles and Joints
What is Locomotion?
Types of Locomotion
What is Movement?
Types of Movements
Difference between Locomotion and Movement
Frequently asked question
Muscles and Joints
To understand Locomotion and Movement better, first, we need to know about muscles and joints.
Muscles
Around 40 to 50% of our body weight is because of the muscles.
These are made up of cells, called muscle fibers. Muscular fibers/ tissues are mesodermal in origin.
There are three types of muscles in the body. They are
Skeletal Muscles - They are also known as striated muscles. These muscles are responsible for carrying out the Movement of the posture of the organism.
Cardiac Muscles - These muscles are present in the heart. They possess the ability to contract and relax in a rhythmic pattern.
Smooth Muscles - These muscles are mainly found in the digestive tract. The Movement of these muscles is under the control of the nervous system.
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Joints
Our skeletal system comprises cartilages and bones.
The human body has 206 bones. These bones are interconnected.
The place where two or more bones adjoin with each other to perform activities is called a Joint. Depending on the nature of the Movement they perform, joints are divided into three types.
Fixed Joints - Due to the presence of durable cartilaginous fibers, these joints do not show any Movement. E.g. joints between skull bones, joints in tooth sockets
Moveable Joints - The function of these types of joints is to perform Locomotion and other movements. Examples of moveable joints are the knee joint, wrist joint, the joint between the humerus and pectoral girdle.
Slightly Movable Joints - In this type of joint, bones are linked together because of the presence of cartilages. These joints are somewhat movable—E.g. The joint between adjacent vertebrae in the vertebral column.
Locomotion
Locomotion is the displacement of the entire body from one place to another in a specific direction.
It requires a driving force that is acting against the supporting structure of the body.
Well-coordinated and balanced activities of neural, muscular, and skeletal systems execute Locomotion.
It takes place by the Movement of limbs, flagella, and wings.
It helps organisms to find food and to escape from predators.
Walking, running, flying, swimming, jumping, hopping, creeping, crawling, are some of the examples of Locomotion.
Types of Locomotion
There are three Types of Locomotion
Air Locomotion
Land Locomotion
Aquatic Locomotion
Movement
Movement is the process in which the organism moves the body part from one position to another without changing the place.
It is observed in all living organisms (vertebrates and invertebrates), including plants.
In some organisms, Movement is carried out with the help of external body parts, and in some organisms, it is performed by internal body parts.
Purpose of the movements are
Locomotion
Breathing
Maintaining the equilibrium of the body
Blood circulation
Information collection
Capture and ingestion of food
Passage of food and urine
Exchange of gasses and many more.
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Types of Movements
There are three types of movements of the human body,
Ciliary Movements- It occurred in internal tubular organs and carried out my hair-like extensions of the epithelium, Cilia. The passage of ova in the female reproductive system is an example of this type of Movement.
Amoeboid Movements- It arises with the help of pseudopodia (temporary protoplasmic outgrowth within a cell). E.g. movements in Amoeba, leukocytes.
Muscular Movements- It occurs due to the virtue of the contractility of muscles. It is observed in higher vertebrates—E.g. Movement of tongue, jaws, limbs.
Difference Between Locomotion and Movement
Following are the significant differences between Locomotion and Movement,
In the case of Locomotion, the body moves away from one position to another, whereas in the case of Movement, change of place does not take place.
Locomotion is an entirely voluntary act. On the other hand, Movement can be voluntary or involuntary.
Locomotion is the crucial virtue of organisms only while Movement takes place in all living things.
Locomotion requires more energy than Movement. But due to many movements in the body, energy is produced.
Activity to do
Try to move all the body parts from top to bottom and observe the different movements each organ performs. Write your observation on a paper. Read the article on movements and locomotion from the website of Vedantu and evaluate your understanding.
FAQs on Difference Between Locomotion and Movement in Biology
1. What is the difference between locomotion and movement?
The main difference between locomotion and movement is that locomotion results in a change in place, while movement may or may not change the organism’s location. Movement is any change in position of a body part or the whole organism. In contrast, locomotion is a type of movement that causes the entire organism to move from one place to another, such as walking, flying, or swimming.
2. What is movement in biology?
In biology, movement is defined as a change in position of a body part or the whole organism. It can occur in both animals and plants.
- In animals: blinking, heartbeat, limb movement.
- In plants: opening of flowers, growth of shoots toward light.
3. What is locomotion in biology?
In biology, locomotion is the movement of an organism from one place to another. It helps organisms search for food, escape predators, and find shelter. Examples include walking in humans, flying in birds, swimming in fish, and crawling in earthworms.
4. Is all locomotion a type of movement?
Yes, all locomotion is a type of movement, but not all movement is locomotion. Locomotion always involves displacement of the whole body. However, movements like nodding the head or movement of the diaphragm during breathing do not change location and are therefore not locomotion.
5. Can plants show movement and locomotion?
Plants show movement but generally do not show locomotion. Plant movements include tropic movements (like phototropism) and nastic movements (like closing of Mimosa leaves). Since plants are fixed in one place and do not move from one location to another, they do not exhibit locomotion.
6. What are some examples of locomotion in animals?
Examples of locomotion in animals include movement that changes their location.
- Walking and running in humans.
- Flying in birds using wings.
- Swimming in fish using fins.
- Crawling in snakes using muscular contractions.
7. Why is locomotion important for living organisms?
Locomotion is important because it helps organisms survive by enabling them to move from one place to another. It allows organisms to:
- Search for food and water.
- Escape from predators.
- Find mates for reproduction.
- Seek suitable environmental conditions.
8. What body systems are involved in locomotion?
Locomotion mainly involves the muscular system and skeletal system, working together as the musculoskeletal system.
- Muscles contract and relax to produce force.
- Bones provide support and act as levers.
- Joints allow movement between bones.
9. How does movement differ in unicellular and multicellular organisms?
Movement in unicellular organisms occurs using specialized cell structures, while in multicellular organisms it involves tissues and organs.
- Unicellular organisms like Amoeba use pseudopodia.
- Paramecium uses cilia.
- Multicellular organisms use muscles and limbs.
10. What is a simple way to remember the difference between locomotion and movement?
A simple way to remember the difference is that locomotion changes location, while movement may not. If the organism moves from one place to another, it is locomotion. If only a body part moves without changing place, it is just movement. This distinction is key in understanding locomotion vs movement in biology.
