Movement in Living Beings

Key Notes :

Definition of Movement

  • Movement: Movement is the ability of living beings to change their position or location. It is one of the key characteristics that differentiate living organisms from non-living things.

Importance of Movement

  • Survival: Movement helps living beings find food, escape predators, and reproduce.
  • Interaction: Allows organisms to interact with their environment and other organisms.
  • Adaptation: Helps organisms adapt to changing environments and conditions.

Types of Movement :

  • Movement in Animals:
    • Locomotion: The movement from one place to another.
      • Walking: Humans, dogs, cats.
      • Flying: Birds, bats, insects.
      • Swimming: Fish, dolphins, whales.
      • Crawling: Snakes, worms, insects.
    • Internal Movement: Movement of substances within the body.
      • Blood Circulation: Movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels.
      • Digestion: Movement of food through the digestive system.
  • Movement in Plants:
    • Tropism: Growth movement in response to environmental stimuli.
      • Phototropism: Movement towards light. Example: Sunflowers turning towards the sun.
      • Gravitropism: Movement in response to gravity. Example: Roots growing downward.
      • Thigmotropism: Movement in response to touch. Example: Tendrils of climbing plants wrapping around a support.
    • Nastic Movements: Non-directional movement in response to stimuli.
      • Nyctinasty: Movement in response to day and night cycles. Example: Flowers closing at night.
      • Thigmonasty: Movement in response to touch. Example: Leaves of the mimosa plant closing when touched.

Examples of Movement in Different Living Beings

  • Animals:
    • Cheetah: Runs at high speeds to catch prey.
    • Birds: Fly using wings to migrate or find food.
    • Fish: Swim using fins and tails to navigate water.
  • Plants:
    • Sunflower: Rotates to face the sun throughout the day.
    • Vines: Wrap around supports as they grow upwards.
    • Mimosa: Leaves close when touched to protect from harm.

How Movement is Achieved

  • Muscles and Skeleton (in Animals):
    • Muscles: Tissues that contract and relax to produce movement.
    • Skeleton: Provides structure and support, enabling movement.
  • Growth Patterns (in Plants):
    • Cell Elongation: Cells grow longer on one side of the plant, causing it to bend.
    • Hormones: Chemical signals like auxins that regulate growth and movement.

Let’s practice!