What Is Locomotion and Movement Definition Types and Mechanism
Introduction to Locomotion and Movement
Here, we will get a good understanding of Locomotion and Movement class 11 chapter 20. Let’s get started!
All living organisms like we, human beings, can bend, jump, stretch, run and walk, exhibit movement which is one of their characteristic features. We must be aware that movement in plants is different from that in the animals. The simplest form of movement is protoplasmic streaming which is found in unicellular organisms such as amoeba. Some organisms have different structures for movement such as cilia in Paramecium, Flagella in Chlamydomonas and Tentacles in Hydra. Other organisms like domestic and wild animals including humans can move their eyelids, tongue, jaws, hands and legs. And many times, this movement results in change in location or place and such voluntary movement is called locomotion. The different types of locomotory movements are swimming, walking, flying and running.
Besides, the parts of the bodies that help in locomotion also help in other activities such as cilia in Paramoecium help in movement of food through cytopharynx, tentacles in Hydra are used for capturing prey and also for locomotion and humans use limbs for changing body postures and locomotion as well. So, it is clear that movements and locomotions are related and can be studied together. Also, one should understand that all locomotions are movement but all movements are not locomotion. This is because locomotion is concerned with the change in location or place whereas movement can be associated with only that of any body part and the whole body still remains constant. Likewise, it is well explained in Locomotion and Movement class 11 NCERT books.
(image will be uploaded soon)
Why do Organisms Perform Locomotion?
Animals need to perform locomotion for various reasons including for the search of food, mating, shelter, breeding ground and favourable climatic condition and safety from predators or enemies. Therefore, the different methods of locomotion that animals perform depend upon their habitats and demand of the situation.
Types of Movement
As explained in locomotion and movement NCERT book, three different types of movement are known, namely:
Amoeboid Movement - It is seen in some specialized cells such as macrophages and white blood cells. Pseudopodia are responsible for this type of movement in Amoeba due to protoplasmic streaming and microfilaments are cytoskeletal elements are also responsible for this kind of movement.
Ciliary Movement - It occurs in most internal tubular organs lined by ciliated epithelium. Example, in trachea, cilia move in coordinated manner to move foreing substances inhaled and dirt by moving. Another example is seen in the movement of eggs through the female reproductive tract which is lined by cilia.
Muscular Movement - It can be seen in the eyelids, tongue, jaws, hands and legs. Contractile muscles help in bodily movements and locomotion of an organism.
Locomotion is brought about by the coordination of three kinds of systems in organisms, namely muscular system, skeletal system and neural system. Let’s discuss it more in detail.
Muscular System
Muscles help in body movements as well as that of internal organs. It helps in stretching, bending, walking and other physical activities.
Muscles constitute 40 -50 percent of the body weight of a person. Muscle is a specialized tissue originating from the mesoderm. It is the only tissue consisting of properties including contractility, extensibility, excitability and elasticity.
Muscles are classified according to their location (Skeletal, Visceral or Cardiac), Appearance (Stripped or Smooth) and Nature of Regulation (Voluntary or Involuntary).
Skeletal System
This system comprises bones giving shape to the body. An adult skeletal system consists of 306 bones and a few cartilages. On the other hand, a new born baby consists of around 300 bones which are fused later on. Bones and cartilages are specialized connective tissues. The latter is softer in appearance.
The axial skeleton consists of 80 bones comprising skull, vertebral columns, ribs and sternum. The skull is having facial and cranial bones. Hyoid bone which is U-shaped is also present in the skull as well as ear ossicles are there in the skull.
The appendicular skeleton consists of 126 bones which includes bones of limbs and supporting girdles. Each limb consists of 30 bones; bones of hand include humerus, ulna, radius, carpals, metacarpals and phalanges. Similarly, the hind limb or leg consists of femur, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges, Knee cap called patella is found in the knee. Pectoral and Pelvic girdle are known which form the remaining 6 bones.
The point at which two bones or bone and a cartilage make contact are called joints. The functions of joints are in locomotion and bony parts of my body. Joint acts as fulcrum and are classified into fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial. Fibrous joints are immovable such as cranial bones that form cranium via fusing. Synovial joints have synovial fluid and allow a considerable amount of movement. Many joints like hinge joints and pivot joints fall under synovial joints. Arthritis is an example of disorder or joints and another is osteoporosis caused due to decrease in bone mass.
Besides all points discussed here, students can refer to the locomotion and movement NCERT books of class 11 in chapter 20. Students can also learn about disorders of muscular and skeletal systems.
Different Types of Locomotion
With the presence of various muscles, bones, cartilages, ligaments, tendons and joints, different types of locomotion and movement are possible. Locomotion is the ability to move from one place to another and the three types of locomotion which are performed by living organisms include flight locomotion, swimming locomotion and land locomotion. Flight locomotion is flying which includes the motion of an organism through the air, example: birds.
FAQs on Locomotion and Movement in Humans and Animals
1. What is locomotion and movement in biology?
Locomotion and movement in biology refer to the ability of living organisms to change position, either of the whole body or its parts. Movement is any change in position of a body part, while locomotion specifically means movement that results in a change of place.
- Movement can occur within cells, such as cytoplasmic streaming.
- Locomotion occurs in animals walking, swimming, or flying.
- Plants show movement like tropic movements, but most do not show locomotion.
2. What is the difference between movement and locomotion?
The main difference between movement and locomotion is that movement may or may not change location, while locomotion always results in a change of place.
- Movement: Bending of a plant stem, blinking of eyes, or heartbeat.
- Locomotion: Walking, running, swimming, or flying.
- All locomotion is movement, but not all movement is locomotion.
3. How does locomotion occur in humans?
Locomotion in humans occurs through the coordinated action of the muscular system, skeletal system, and nervous system.
- Bones act as levers.
- Skeletal muscles contract and relax to produce movement.
- Joints allow flexibility and motion.
- Motor neurons transmit signals from the brain to muscles.
4. What are the types of movement in organisms?
The main types of movement in organisms are amoeboid, ciliary, muscular, and tropic movements.
- Amoeboid movement: Seen in Amoeba and white blood cells using pseudopodia.
- Ciliary movement: Caused by cilia, as in Paramecium or respiratory tract cells.
- Muscular movement: Produced by contraction of muscles in animals.
- Tropic movement: Directional growth movement in plants, such as phototropism.
5. What is amoeboid movement?
Amoeboid movement is a type of movement that occurs by the formation of temporary projections called pseudopodia.
- The cytoplasm flows into the pseudopodium.
- The cell membrane extends in one direction.
- The rest of the cell follows, resulting in forward movement.
6. How do muscles help in locomotion?
Muscles help in locomotion by contracting and relaxing to move bones at joints.
- Skeletal muscles are attached to bones by tendons.
- They work in pairs called antagonistic muscles (e.g., biceps and triceps).
- One muscle contracts while the other relaxes to produce movement.
7. What is the role of the skeleton in locomotion?
The skeleton provides support and acts as a framework that enables movement and locomotion.
- Bones provide attachment points for muscles.
- Joints allow different types of movement (hinge, ball-and-socket).
- The skeleton protects vital organs while enabling mobility.
8. What are the different types of joints involved in movement?
The main types of joints involved in movement are hinge, ball-and-socket, pivot, and gliding joints.
- Hinge joint: Allows movement in one plane (elbow, knee).
- Ball-and-socket joint: Allows movement in all directions (shoulder, hip).
- Pivot joint: Enables rotational movement (neck).
- Gliding joint: Allows sliding movements (wrist, ankle).
9. Do plants show locomotion?
Most plants do not show locomotion, but they do exhibit various types of movement in response to stimuli.
- Tropic movements: Directional growth responses like phototropism.
- Nastic movements: Non-directional responses like folding of Mimosa leaves.
- Some lower plants and algae show limited locomotion using flagella.
10. Why is locomotion important for living organisms?
Locomotion is important because it helps organisms survive by enabling them to find food, escape predators, and reproduce.
- Animals move to search for food and water.
- Locomotion helps in avoiding predators.
- It allows migration and finding suitable habitats.
- It supports mating and reproduction.
