Motility

Motility is the ability to move spontaneously and independently. The term can apply to single cells, or to multicellular organisms.

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

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

More information on cell motility can be found under cell biology.

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Motility is also a term refering to the movement of stool through the intestines.

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Biomedical engineering: Biomedical engineering is a discipline concerned with the development and manufacture of prostheses, medical devices, diagnostic devices, drugs and other therapies as well as the application of engineering principles to basic biological science problems. It is a field that combines the expertise of...

Cell: A cell is a single unit or compartment, enclosed by a border or wall. A cell is usually part of a larger structure. More specific meanings depend on the context in which the work is used....