Question

Which is the movement exhibited by the cell of a human body? (a) Amoeboid (b) Ciliary (c) Fagellar (d) All of these

Short answer

The movement exhibited by a cell of a human body is (d) All of these.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Question

Identify and comprehend the question. Here, the question is asking which type of movement is exhibited by a human body's cell.

Review the Options

Assess each option individually. Amoeboid movement is typical of amoeba but not of human cells. Ciliary movement is a form of locomotion common among microorganisms but not of human cells. Flagellar movement is observed mainly in microorganisms using a flagellum, a term not generally applied to human cells.

Choosing the Correct Answer

After reviewing all options, it seems that none of them individually represent the movement in human cells. Therefore, the correct option must be (d) All of these.

Key concepts

Amoeboid Movement

Amoeboid movement refers to a type of locomotion used by some cells to propel themselves in a crawling-like manner. It involves the flow of cytoplasm, the internal fluid within the cell, which facilitates the formation of pseudopods or 'false feet'. These temporary protrusions allow the cell to anchor itself and pull forward.

While amoeboid movement is mostly attributed to single-celled organisms like amoebae, similar mechanisms are also observed in some human immune cells, such as macrophages and leukocytes. These cells utilize amoeboid movement to navigate through the body's tissues during the immune response, engulfing pathogens and debris. To enhance comprehension, imagine a blob-like amoeba stretching and squeezing through the microscopic landscapes; similarly, our immune cells patrol and protect our body.

Ciliary Movement

Ciliary movement involves the coordinated beating of cilia, which are hair-like projections on the surface of certain cells. In humans, these cilia are found along the respiratory tract and the fallopian tubes, among other locations.

For example, in the respiratory system, cilia work to sweep mucus and trapped particles out of the lungs, acting as a protective conveyor belt against infection. In the fallopian tubes, they facilitate the movement of the egg from the ovary to the uterus. The synchronized waving of these structures works much like the rhythmic motion of fields of wheat swaying in the wind, each stalk contributing to the overall flow of movement.

Flagellar Movement

Flagellar movement is characterized by the rotation or undulation of a flagellum, a whip-like appendage that propels cells through fluid. In the human body, this type of movement is exemplified by sperm cells, which use their single flagellum, or 'tail', to swim towards the egg during fertilization.

Think of a single oar dipping and pushing through water, enabling a boat to glide; similarly, a sperm's flagellum drives it forward with forceful, snakelike motions. This is essential for human reproduction, and understanding this mechanism sheds light on the intricacies of cellular motility within the body.

Cell Locomotion

Cell locomotion encompasses the various movements by which cells traverse their environment, essential for processes such as tissue repair, immune response, and development. Human cells exhibit a diverse range of locomotion strategies, including amoeboid, ciliary, and flagellar movements discussed in previous sections.

Cell locomotion is fundamentally important for the maintenance and functioning of multicellular organisms. For instance, during wound healing, cells migrate to the injury site to repair damaged tissue. Similarly, immune cells navigate through the body seeking and defending against pathogens. Through these different forms of movement, cells can fulfill their specialized roles and maintain the dynamic equilibrium of the body's systems.