NCERT Class 11 Biology Biology: Chapter 17 — Locomotion and Movement
This chapter, "Locomotion and Movement," from NCERT Class 11 Biology, explores the fundamental features of living beings. It details various types of movements exhibited by organisms, from the protoplasmic streaming in Amoeba to the complex locomotion of humans. The chapter distinguishes between movement and locomotion, stating that while all locomotion involves movement, not all movements are locomotions. It introduces three primary types of cellular movements: amoeboid, ciliary, and muscular. Furthermore, it delves into the three types of muscles—skeletal, visceral, and cardiac—based on their location, appearance, and regulation. Skeletal muscles are voluntary and striated, involved in locomotion, while visceral muscles are involuntary and smooth, found in internal organs. This foundational understanding is crucial for comprehending the mechanics of movement in biological systems for CBSE students.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Biology |
| Book | Biology |
| Chapter | Chapter 17 — Locomotion and Movement |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 674 |
Learning outcomes
- Differentiate between movement and locomotion.
- Identify and describe the three main types of cellular movements: amoeboid, ciliary, and muscular.
- Classify muscles based on location, appearance, and regulation (skeletal, visceral, cardiac).
- Understand the basic functions of skeletal and visceral muscles.
- Recognize the importance of coordinated muscular, skeletal, and neural systems for locomotion.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Locomotion | Voluntary movement resulting in a change of place or location. |
| Amoeboid movement | Movement exhibited by specialized cells like macrophages and leucocytes, effected by pseudopodia. |
| Ciliary movement | Movement occurring in internal tubular organs lined by ciliated epithelium, facilitated by coordinated ciliary action. |
| Muscular movement | Movement involving the contractile property of muscles, used for locomotion and other actions. |
| Striated muscles | Skeletal muscles with a striped appearance under the microscope, under voluntary control. |
| Smooth muscles | Visceral muscles located in hollow visceral organs, lacking striations and under involuntary control. |
| Involuntary muscles | Muscles whose activities are not under voluntary control of the nervous system. |
| Voluntary muscles | Muscles whose activities are under the voluntary control of the nervous system. |
| Pseudopodia | Temporary, foot-like extensions of the cytoplasm used by amoeboid organisms for movement and feeding. |
| Cilia | Short, hair-like appendages on the surface of many cells, used for movement. |
| Contractility | The ability of muscle tissue to shorten forcibly when adequately stimulated. |
| Excitability | The ability to respond to stimuli. |
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Practice questions
- What is the difference between movement and locomotion? Answer: Locomotion is a voluntary movement that results in a change of place or location, whereas movement encompasses all changes in position, including those that do not involve a change in location.
- Name the three main types of movements exhibited by cells of the human body. Answer: The three main types are amoeboid movement, ciliary movement, and muscular movement.
- Where are visceral muscles found, and what is their nature of control? Answer: Visceral muscles are found in the inner walls of hollow visceral organs like the alimentary canal and reproductive tract. They are smooth in appearance and are involuntary muscles.
- What are skeletal muscles also known as, and what is their primary function? Answer: Skeletal muscles are also known as striated muscles and voluntary muscles. Their primary function is to bring about locomotory actions and changes in body postures.
- Give an example of an organism and how it uses cilia for both food movement and locomotion. Answer: Paramoecium uses cilia to help move food through its cytopharynx and also for locomotion.
Frequently asked questions
What is locomotion according to the NCERT Biology textbook?
Locomotion is defined as voluntary movements that result in a change of place or location.
What are the three main types of movements found in human body cells?
The three main types are amoeboid, ciliary, and muscular movements.
What is the difference between skeletal and visceral muscles?
Skeletal muscles are striated, voluntary, and associated with bones, while visceral muscles are smooth, involuntary, and found in the walls of internal organs.
Can all movements be considered locomotion?
No, the chapter states that all locomotions are movements, but not all movements are locomotions.
What is the approximate percentage of body weight contributed by muscles in an adult human?
Muscles contribute about 40-50 per cent of the body weight of a human adult.
What are the special properties of muscles mentioned in the chapter?
The special properties of muscles are excitability, contractility, extensibility, and elasticity.
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NCERT Class 11 Biology — Biology — Chapter 17 — Locomotion and Movement. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.