Locomotion and Movement

Introduction 

Movement is a process that helps in differentiating a living thing from a non-living thing. Whenever we talk about locomotion and movement, we often use one for the other. But, it is essential to realise that there is a difference between these two when we talk about any living thing. Both have their own separate definitions and nature.

Types of Muscles

Muscles present in higher vertebrates are of 3 types which are as follows:

•       Striated or Skeletal Muscles
•       Non-striated or Smooth Muscles
•       Cardiac Muscles

Striated or Skeletal Muscles

The striated muscles are voluntary when it comes to their nature, which defines that their movement occurs when we want because it is under our will’s control. They are primarily accountable for bringing about the movement of posture as well as the location of the living organism. Moreover, they are named striated muscles because of their striations, but they are visible only under the microscope and not by the naked eyes.

Non-Striated or Smooth Muscles

These muscles are involuntary when it comes to their nature which defines that their movement is out of the control of our will. When we observe them under the microscope, we don’t get to see any type of striations on them. These muscles are present inside the digestive tract as well as in the reproductive system of the living being.

Cardiac Muscles

The cardiac muscles are specific muscles that are present only inside the heart of a living being. Moreover, they are involuntary in nature, and these muscles also have striations on them that are only visible when seen through a microscope lens. They have the ability to contract as well as relax in a rhythmic method.

Skeletal System

The skeletal system of a living being is composed of bones as well as cartilages. In addition, there are a total of two hundred and six bones in the body of an adult human being. These bones are separated into the axial skeleton as well as the appendicular skeleton in the human body. Moreover, the axial skeleton contains bones that are present towards the centre of the human body. It also includes the skull, the vertebrae, as well as the sternum at the same time. The appendicular skeleton comprises bones that are present in the edges.

Joints

Joints are also known as articular surfaces and these can be well defined as a point where two or more bones are connected to each other in the skeletal system of a human body. Cartilage in the human body is a kind of tissue that assists in keeping two neighbouring bones to come in contact with each other. There are three types of joints: Synovial Joints, Fibrous Joints, and Cartilaginous Joints. Joints help the body in bringing about movements in various parts of the skeleton system in the human body.

Depending on the mobility allowed by the joint, we can classify them as follows:

Fixed Joint or Synarthroses

These joints are fibrous joints; the binding tissue present amid two bones is “fibrous” in nature—for example, sutures amid the skull bones.

Slightly Movable Joint or Amphiarthrosis

This joint allows minor mobility that is more than what is visible for a fixed joint. The binding tissue present in this kind of joint is “cartilaginous” in nature.

Freely Moveable Joint or Synovial Joints

These joints allow the maximum possible movement between the two bones present. They are also known as “diarthrosis” and are additionally classified into six categories depending on the type of movements possible.

Movements and their Types

When we discuss the topic of locomotion and movement, there are three types of movements that we look at, and these are as follows:

•       Amoeboid movement
•       Ciliary movement
•       Muscular movement

Amoeboid Movement

This movement is brought about by pseudopodia, which are the appendages that move with the movement of protoplasm inside a cell.

Ciliary Movement

This movement is brought about by appendages that are known as ‘cilia’ with hair-like extensions of the epithelium. Both of these movements are present in the cells of the lymphatic system.

Muscular Movement

This movement is more complex and it is brought about with the help of the musculoskeletal system. This movement is found in the higher vertebrates.

Conclusion

Locomotion and movement study material conclude that movement is one of the characteristic features of each and every living organism present on this planet. Locomotion helps us make movements and go from one place to another through our bodies. In addition, locomotion also assists us by helping us run from various drastic situations in our life, and it also helps animals move faster away from predators.