Motility: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Ability to move spontaneously and actively, using metabolic energy}}

The term '''vagility''' encompasses both motility and mobility; sessile organisms including plants and fungi often have vagile parts such as fruits, seeds, or spores which may be dispersed by other agents such as wind, water, or other organisms.<ref name="nerd word">{{cite web |title=Botanical Nerd Word: Vagile |url=https://torontobotanicalgarden.ca/blog/word-of-the-week/botanical-nerd-word-vagile/ |website=torontobotanicalgarden.ca/ |date=7 November 2016 |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>

Motility is [[genetic determinism|genetically determined]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Nüsslein-Volhard |first=Christiane |title=Coming to life: how genes drive development |date=2006 |publisher=Kales Press |location=San Diego, California |isbn=978-0979845604 |page=75 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n19wkrmFJhwC&pg=PA73 |chapter=6 Form and Form Changes |quote=During development, '''any change in cell shape is preceded by a change in gene activity'''. The cell's origin and environment that determine which transcription factors are active within a cell, and, hence, which genes are turned on, and which proteins are produced.}}</ref> but may be affected by environmental factors such as [[toxin|toxins]]. The [[nervous system]] and musculoskeletal system provide the majority of mammalian motility.<ref>{{cite book |last=Fullick |first=Ann |title=Edexcel A2-level biology |date=2009 |publisher=Pearson |location=Harlow |isbn=978-1-4082-0602-7 |page=138 |chapter=7.1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Fullick |first1=Ann |title=Edexcel A2-level biology |date=2009 |publisher=Pearson |location=Harlow |isbn=978-1-4082-0602-7 |page=67 |chapter=6.1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=E. Cooper |first1=Chris |last2=C. Brown |first2=Guy |title=The inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase by the gases carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide: chemical mechanism and physiological significance |journal=Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes |date=October 2008 |volume=40 |issue=5 |pages=533–539 |doi=10.1007/s10863-008-9166-6 |pmid=18839291 |s2cid=13682333}}</ref>

In addition to [[animal locomotion]], most [[animal]]s are motile, though some are vagile, described as having [[Animal locomotion#Passive locomotion|passive locomotion]]. Many [[bacteria]] and other [[microorganism]]s, including even some [[viruses]],<ref>{{cite journal |author1=P.H. Hamming |author2=N.J. Overeem|author3=J. Huskens|title=Influenza as a molecular walker |journal=Chemical Science |date=November 2019 |volume=11 |issue=1|pages=27-36 |doi=10.1039/C9SC05149J|pmc=7021193 }}</ref> and [[multicellular organism]]s are motile; some mechanisms of [[fluid flow]] in multicellular organs and tissue are also considered instances of motility, as with [[Gastrointestinal physiology#Motility|gastrointestinal motility]]. Motile [[marine animal]]s are commonly called free-swimming,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Krohn |first1=Martha M. |last2=Boisdair |first2=Daniel |title=Use of a Stereo-video System to Estimate the Energy Expenditure of Free-swimming Fish |journal=Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences |date=May 1994 |volume=51 |issue=5 |pages=1119–1127 |doi=10.1139/f94-111}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cooke |first1=Steven J. |last2=Thorstad |first2=Eva B. |last3=Hinch |first3=Scott G. |title=Activity and energetics of free-swimming fish: insights from electromyogram telemetry |journal=Fish and Fisheries |date=March 2004 |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=21–52 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-2960.2004.00136.x |bibcode=2004AqFF....5...21C |quote=We encourage the continued development and refinement of devices for monitoring the activity and energetics of free-swimming fish}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Carey |first1=Francis G. |last2=Lawson |first2=Kenneth D. |title=Temperature regulation in free-swimming bluefin tuna |journal=Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A |date=February 1973 |volume=44 |issue=2 |pages=375–392 |doi=10.1016/0300-9629(73)90490-8 |quote=Acoustic telemetry was used to monitor ambient water temperature and tissue temperature in free-swimming bluefin tuna (''Thunnus thynnus'' Linneaus {{sic}}, 1758) over periods ranging from a few hours to several days. |pmid=4145757}}</ref> and motile non-[[parasitic]] organisms are called free-living.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Parasites |url=https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/about.html |publisher=Centers for Disease Control |access-date=29 September 2020 |quote=Protozoa are microscopic, one-celled organisms that can be free-living or parasitic in nature.}}</ref>

File:Muscular system.svg|Muscles give the ability for voluntary movement, and involuntary movement as in [[muscle spasm]]s and [[reflex]]es). At the level of the [[muscular system]], motility is a synonym for [[Animal locomotion|locomotion]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Parsons |first1=Richard |title=A2-level biology : the revision guide : exam board: Edexcel |date=2009 |publisher=Coordination Group Publications |location=Broughton-in-Furness |isbn=978-1-84762-264-8 |page=50 |chapter=Unit 5 Section 1 |quote='''Skeletal muscle is the type of muscle you use to move''', e.g. the '''bicep and triceps move the lower arm'''. Skeletal muscles are attached to bones by tendons. Ligaments attach bones to other bones, to hold them together. '''Skeletal muscles contract and relax to move bones at a joint.'''}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Vannini |first1=Vanio |last2=Jolly |first2=Richard T. |last3=Pogliani |first3=Giuliano |title=The new atlas of the human body : a full color guide to the structure of the body. |date=1994 |publisher=Chancellor Press |location=London |isbn=978-1-85152-984-1 |page=25 |quote='''The muscle mass is not just concerned with locomotion.''' It assists in the circulation of blood and protects and confines the visceral organs. It also provides the main shaping component of the human form.}}</ref>