The difference between locomotion and movement lies in their function. Locomotion refers to the ability of an organism to move from one place to another, while movement can involve any change in the position or posture of a part of an organism.
In this article, we will cover the difference between locomotion and movement.
Table of Content
What is Locomotion?
Locomotion refers to the ability of a body to move from one place to another. Generating motion and accelerating the body through its environment requires the coordinated action of various body parts. In humans and animals, locomotion is developed for moving in their respective habitats which includes walking, running, crawling, flying, and swimming.
Transportation is also a great source of medium for moving from one place to another. In this process, organisms use their body parts like limbs and wings, etc to avoid bad weather, to run away from predators, and other things.
Types of Locomotion
There are several types of locomotion observed in the animal kingdom:
- Walking: This type of locomotion can be observed in terrestrial animals as well as humans and, it involves moving one or more limbs in a coordinated manner while maintaining contact with the ground.
- Running: This is a type of faster locomotion than walking which involves periodic moments when both feet are off the ground.
- Crawling: In this type of locomotion the organisms drag their body along the ground for movement from one place to another like snakes, and mammals during the early stages of development.
- Flying: It is a movement off the ground in the air, such movement is observed in birds, insects, bats, etc.
Several other types are also there like swimming, jumping, burrowing, gliding, swinging, etc.
What is Movement?
Movement is a more general term used for any change in the position or posture of an organism or its body parts. It comprises a broader range of activities beyond locomotion. Basically, locomotion is one of its examples. Internal movement such as contraction of muscles, breathing, and digestion of food all falls under the category of movements, and external movements include stretching, bending, flexing, or gesturing.
Types of Movements
In the human body, the cells exhibit three main types of movements which are as follows:
- Amoeboid Movement (In Amoeba and Movement of Leucocytes in the Blood of Humans): It is a cellular movement observed in eukaryotic cells, including amoebae, and white blood cells. These cells change their shape and move in search of food, towards chemical signals or get away from harmful substances.
- Ciliary Movement (In Ciliated Protozoans): It refers to the coordinated and rhythmic structures called cilia. It is observed in eukaryotic cells that possess cilia. Ciliary movement is vital for maintaining healthy respiratory function and physiological functions in organisms that possess cilia.
- Muscular Movement (In Vertebrates): Contraction and relaxation of muscles resulting in muscular movement that has the ability to contract and exert force, resulting in various types of movement.
Difference Between Locomotion and Movement
The differences between locomotion and movement are as follows:
| Characteristics | Locomotion | Movement |
| Definition | The ability of an organism to move from one place to another. | The change in the position or posture of an organism. |
| Involvement | The coordinated action of body parts or structures is involved in generating motion. | Both internal and external body parts are involved such as muscle contraction, joint movement, etc. |
| Objective | Associated with changing location and navigation. | A broader range of activities including stretching bending or even internal process. |
| Examples | Including walking, running, crawling, flying, swimming, and more. | Amoeboid, Ciliary, and Muscular Movement. |
| Energy Requirement | Locomotion doesn't require energy. | Movement requires energy. |
Conclusion - Difference Between Locomotion And Movement
In conclusion, difference between locomotion and movement lies in their functions. Locomotion refers to the ability to change location and includes a variety of movements used by organisms. On the other hand, movement is a general term that includes a variety of actions beyond locomotion that encompasses any change in position and posture of both external and internal body parts.