MOTILE Meaning and
Definition
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Motile is an adjective that describes an organism or structure capable of movement or exhibiting the ability to move on its own accord. It is derived from the Latin word "motus," meaning "to move." This term is often used in biological and medical contexts.
In biology, motile refers to the ability of cells, organisms, or structures to move. It can describe the movement of organisms as a whole, such as the motile behavior of animals or the locomotion of unicellular organisms like bacteria, protozoa, or sperm cells. Furthermore, motile can refer to the ability of certain structures within an organism to move, such as the motile cilia found in the respiratory tract.
Motility is a crucial factor in the survival and functioning of many organisms. It enables them to respond to stimuli, find resources, escape threats, or engage in reproductive activities. The movement can be achieved through various mechanisms, such as the contraction of muscles, the beating of appendages like flagella or cilia, or even changes in cell shape.
The opposite of motile is sessile, which describes an organism or structure that remains fixed in one place and does not possess the ability to move independently.
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1. Having the power of spontaneous movement. 2. Specifically, noting the type of mental imagery in which the person recalls most readily that which he has felt; contrasted with audile and visile.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MOTILE
Etymology of MOTILE
The word "motile" comes from the Latin word "mōtus", which is the past participle of the verb "movēre", meaning "to move". In English, "motile" is used to describe an organism or cell that exhibits self-propelled movement.
Similar spelling words for MOTILE
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