Difference between revisions of "Undulatory locomotion"
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(New page: == Definition == Currently writing... == References == * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undulatory_locomotion * Limbless undulatory propulsion on land) |
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== Definition == | == Definition == | ||
| + | [[Image:snake_motion.jpg|700px|right|thumb|alt=Snake motion.|Schematic of lateral undulation locomotion for a snake (the black dots indicate the location of inflection points and the thick line illustrate the pattern and amplitude of muscle activity. ([[Limbless undulatory propulsion on land]] (Guo & Mahadevan 2008).]] | ||
| − | + | Undulatory locomotion is movement via propagating waves with the most tangible example being that of limbless creatures (e.g. snakes) on land or water. The lateral (side-ways) forces brace the animal's body (the motion in each lateral direction cancels itself out) against the substrate thus allowing the in-plane forces to propel it in a forward. Viscoelasticity plays an important role both in the mechanics of the muscular tissue and how the animal's body responds to its environment. | |
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 18:27, 2 December 2009
Definition
Schematic of lateral undulation locomotion for a snake (the black dots indicate the location of inflection points and the thick line illustrate the pattern and amplitude of muscle activity. (Limbless undulatory propulsion on land (Guo & Mahadevan 2008).
Undulatory locomotion is movement via propagating waves with the most tangible example being that of limbless creatures (e.g. snakes) on land or water. The lateral (side-ways) forces brace the animal's body (the motion in each lateral direction cancels itself out) against the substrate thus allowing the in-plane forces to propel it in a forward. Viscoelasticity plays an important role both in the mechanics of the muscular tissue and how the animal's body responds to its environment.
