Introduction to Locomotion and Movement
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
1. What are the types of movements in a human body?
Categorically a human body can perform three different kinds of movements. They are amoeboid, ciliary, and muscular movements. The description of these movements are discussed in detail as follows -
Amoeboid movement is possible due to cells like macrophages and leukocytes. Also, the Cytoskeletal elements like microfilaments make these movements.
Ciliary movement takes place in our internal tubular organs which are lined by ciliated epithelium. For example the female reproductive tract’s movement.
Muscular movement is required for the movement of our limbs, jaws, and tongue. It makes use of the contractile property of muscles.
2. What is the system that works together to make the body move?
For allowing the movement of the body, three parts work together which are the muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems. The nervous system sends signals, or messages, all over the body. These electrical signals travel through the human brain, skin, organs, glands, and muscles. The signals help in the movement of the limbs and make you feel the sensations, such as pain. These muscular systems make the body perform all the possible movements. When the muscles contract, they contribute to the gross and fine movement. And the skeleton supports the body weight that in turn helps the human stand and move.
3. Are the three systems that are muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems sufficient for the movements and locomotion?
Although the three systems are very crucial in the function of movement, they are not sufficient and the movement and locomotion of the body parts require all 11 systems to function together. These 11 systems are the integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, urinary system, and reproductive system. The coordination and synchronization of all these systems allow the body to move around freely.
4. What are the different types of motion in a human body?
Motion is the movement of the parts of a human body, they can be in the following forms-
Rotatory Motion - body moves about a fixed axis eg. shoulder rotation
Oscillatory Motion - it is the backward and forward movement of the body eg. swinging of the arms
Uniform Circular - movement at a constant speed eg. eye movement
Periodic Motion - movement occurs after a specific period eg. blink of an eye
Rectilinear Motion - is a motion in which a body travels in a straight line
5. What are the disorders associated with locomotion and movement?
Disorders in the various nervous systems can cause problems related to locomotion and movements. For example - a problem in the nervous system will cause a decline in the flow of signals for the movement of the body. Diseases like Parkinson's are related to neuro problems. A problem in the spinal cord, weak skeletal system, bone deformities, etc.
6. How does Locomotion take place in different Organisms?
Various organisms and their means of Locomotion are listed below,
Protozoa - Locomotion takes place with the help of flagella, cilia and pseudopodia.
Porifera - They are sedentary organisms and are always attached to the substratum. Thus, Locomotion does not take place.
Helminths - In these types of organisms, Locomotion takes place by cilia, cuticle fibre.
Coelenterates - in this category of organisms, Locomotion takes place due to contraction-relaxation of epidermal muscle fibres.
Annelids - Leech, Nereis and earthworm, fall under this category of organisms. With the help of well-developed muscles such as Setae, Parapodia Locomotion takes place.
Arthropods - Cockroaches, housefly are examples of Arthropods. With the help of legs and wings, Locomotion occurs.
Echinodermata - Starfish is an example of this category of organisms. Locomotion takes place with the help of tube feet.
Vertebrates - In all vertebrates, Locomotion takes place by a pair of legs (using skeletal muscles).
7. What are the types of movement in Plants?
There are three types of plant movements.
The type of Movements of a plant in which a plant part (stem or root) grows towards the direction of stimulants(water, light, soil).
The plant movements in which Movement occurs due to variance in water latent in different parts is known as Turgor Movements. E.g. Insectivorous plant Venus flytrap.
Nastic movements are the movements that are caused due to contact(touch), change in temperature, change in day length. Flowers of Portulaca
