Movement is an important characteristic of all living organisms. Plants and animals both show movement, but the type and purpose of movement are different. Movement means a change in the position of a body part or the whole organism, while locomotion means the movement of an organism from one place to another. Animals generally show both movement and locomotion, whereas plants mainly show movement of their body parts because they remain fixed in one place.
Movement in Plants
Plants are usually fixed to the ground by their roots, so they cannot move from one place to another like animals. However, different parts of plants can show movement in response to environmental conditions such as light, gravity, water, touch, and temperature.
One common example is the movement of a plant shoot towards light. This is called phototropism. The shoot generally grows towards the source of light because light is necessary for photosynthesis. Roots, on the other hand, usually grow towards gravity. This response is known as geotropism or gravitropism.
Plants also show movements that are caused by changes in the amount of water inside their cells. For example, the leaves of the sensitive plant, commonly known as Mimosa pudica, fold or droop when touched. This is called a nastic movement. Such movements can occur quite quickly even though plants do not have muscles or a nervous system like animals.
Growth movements are generally slow and are caused by unequal growth of different parts of a plant. The bending of stems towards light is one example. Other movements may occur because of changes in the pressure of water inside plant cells.
Movement in Animals
Animals show much more noticeable and faster movements than plants. Their movements are mainly controlled by the nervous system and muscles. Animals move different parts of their bodies for feeding, breathing, protection, communication, reproduction, and other activities.
Different animals have different methods of movement. Humans use their legs and muscles for walking, running, and jumping. Fish use their fins and muscular body movements for swimming. Birds use their wings and muscles for flying. Snakes move by producing waves of muscular contraction along their bodies. Earthworms move with the help of their muscles and tiny bristles called setae.
Locomotion in Animals
Locomotion is the movement of an entire organism from one place to another. It helps animals find food and water, escape from predators, find shelter, and reproduce.
Humans show locomotion through walking, running, swimming, and other activities. In birds, wings help them fly from one place to another. Fish use fins and their streamlined bodies for swimming. Many insects use their legs and wings for locomotion.
The human body has a strong skeletal system and muscular system that work together to produce movement and locomotion. Bones provide support, while muscles contract and relax to move bones at joints. For example, when we bend or straighten our arm, different muscles work together to produce the movement.
Difference Between Movement and Locomotion
Movement does not always involve changing the place of the whole organism. For example, moving a hand or turning the head is movement. Locomotion specifically means moving the whole organism from one location to another, such as walking from one room to another.
Plants mainly show movements of their parts, while animals commonly show both movement and locomotion. Plant movements are often slow and related to growth or changes in water pressure, whereas animal movements are usually faster and controlled by muscles and the nervous system.
Conclusion
Movement and locomotion are important features of living organisms. Plants may not be able to move from one place to another, but they show different movements in response to light, gravity, touch, water, and other environmental factors. Animals have specialized muscles, bones, and nervous systems that allow them to move their body parts and travel from one place to another. Therefore, although plants and animals use different mechanisms, movement helps both of them survive and respond to their surroundings.
