Applies physics to explain gait, muscle efficiency and fluid dynamics of swimming and flying.
Concepts: lever systems, elastic energy storage in tendons (kangaroo hopping), Reynolds number (determining swimming style) and lift and drag in flight. Gait transitions occur at predictable speeds.
Physics explains constraints on form. Elastic storage reduces cost. Scaling affects strength.
Example: fleas jump using stored energy in resilin.
Applies physics to explain gait, muscle efficiency and fluid dynamics of swimming and flying.
Biomechanics of Locomotion is one of the 53 topics in Zoology & Animal Diversity. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Animal Locomotion, Hibernation and Torpor, Metabolic Scaling.
Bumblebee flight uses leading-edge vortices.
Work through the Beginner topics in Zoology & Animal Diversity first, such as Animal Kingdom, Vertebrates and Invertebrates, Sponges, then return to Biomechanics of Locomotion. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Biomechanics of Locomotion are Animal Locomotion, Hibernation and Torpor, Metabolic Scaling, Parental Care Evolution. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Biomechanics of Locomotion. To practise the whole of Zoology & Animal Diversity, use the Zoology & Animal Diversity quiz.
Biomechanics of Locomotion: Applies physics to explain gait, muscle efficiency and fluid dynamics of swimming and flying. Animal Locomotion: Swimming, walking, flying and burrowing involve specialised skeletons and muscles. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Animal Locomotion and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Zoology & Animal Diversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Swimming, walking, flying and burrowing involve specialised skeletons and muscles.
🦁 Zoology & Animal DiversityReduced metabolism and body temperature allow animals to survive scarce winter food.
🦁 Zoology & Animal DiversityMetabolic rate scales with body mass to the three-quarter power, described by Kleiber's law.
🦁 Zoology & Animal DiversityCare by one or both parents evolves when benefits to offspring outweigh costs to parents.
🦁 Zoology & Animal Diversity