muscular and non-muscular movement of Animals

Introduction to Movement and Locomotion

Movement is one of the things that differentiates a living thing from a non- living thing. When we speak about locomotion and movement, we often use one for the other. But, it is important to understand the difference between the two in relation to living things.

Types of Movements

When we talk about locomotion and movement, there are three types of movements:

  • Amoeboid movement is brought about by pseudopodia which are appendages that moves with the movement of protoplasm within a cell.
  • Ciliary movement is brought about by appendages called cilia which hair-like extensions of the epithelium. Both these kinds of movements are seen with cells of the lymphatic system.
  • Muscular movement is a more complex movement which is brought about by the musculoskeletal system. This type of movement is seen in the higher vertebrates. To understand more about the movements brought about by the musculoskeletal system, we need to understand the types of muscles, and joints.

Types of Muscles

Muscles found in higher vertebrates are of three types:

  • Striated or skeletal  muscles
  • Unstriated or smooth  muscles
  • Cardiac muscles