Motility

Encyclopedia : M : MO : MOT : Motility

Motility is a biological term which refers to the ability to move spontaneously and independently. It can apply to either single-celled or multicellular organisms.

In cellular biology or biomedical engineering, motility often refers to directed cell movement down gradients established in biopolymers. Examples are:

movement along a chemical gradient (see chemotaxis)
movement along a rigidity gradient (see durotaxis)
movement along a gradient of cell adhesion sites (see haptotaxis)

Motility is also a term referring to the movement of stool through the intestines or sperm in a semen sample.

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