Slime mould migration
Slime mould migration is the rate at which a motile stage of slime mould advances across a surface in search of food.
How big is it?
1 × 10⁻⁵ m/s · migration speed
Migration speed · representative
Typical recorded range: 1 × 10⁻⁶ m/s to 3 × 10⁻⁵ m/s.
A little perspective
Slime mould migration vs Sperm cell swimming: speed comparison
The progressive speed of a swimming sperm cell is about 5 times the speed of slime mould migration.
DISTANCE IN ONE SECOND
Slime mould migration is the rate at which a motile stage of slime mould advances across a surface in search of food.
10 µm in 1 s
Sperm cell swimming refers to the speed at which a human sperm cell moves through fluid using its tail for propulsion.
50 µm in 1 s
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Slime mould migration
Migration speed: 1 × 10⁻⁵ m/s; representative; range 1 × 10⁻⁶ m/s–3 × 10⁻⁵ m/s.
A representative 10 micrometres-per-second migration rate for a motile slime-mould stage. Organism, life stage, food gradient, humidity and substrate affect the measured front.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked migration speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Sperm cell swimming
Representative progressive speed: 5 × 10⁻⁵ m/s; representative; range 2 × 10⁻⁵ m/s–0.0002 m/s.
A representative 50 micrometres per second progressive swimming speed for a human sperm cell under laboratory observation. Individual cells, sample preparation, medium and measurement method produce a broad distribution.
NCBI — Human sperm motility assessment
The marked representative progressive speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 1 × 10⁻⁵ m/s
We compare the speed of slime mould migration. This is a representative comparison value; individual specimens or conditions can vary. The recorded range is 1 × 10⁻⁶ m/s to 3 × 10⁻⁵ m/s.
A representative 10 micrometres-per-second migration rate for a motile slime-mould stage. Organism, life stage, food gradient, humidity and substrate affect the measured front.
The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 10⁻⁵ m/s | 1 × 10⁻⁶ m/s to 3 × 10⁻⁵ m/s | representative |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valueMotion and speedFingernail growth1 × 10⁻⁹ m/sSpeedFingernail growth is the process by which human fingernails gradually extend from the base of the nail bed over time.Nearest higher valueMotion and speedSperm cell swimming5 × 10⁻⁵ m/sRepresentative progressive speedSperm cell swimming refers to the speed at which a human sperm cell moves through fluid using its tail for propulsion.Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
MotionSperm cell swimming5 × 10⁻⁵ m/sSperm cell swimming refers to the speed at which a human sperm cell moves through fluid using its tail for propulsion.
MotionElectron drift in household copper wiring0.0001 m/sThis refers to the slow average movement of electrons through copper wire when an electric current flows.MotionSea star tube-foot travel0.0003 m/sSea star tube-foot travel is the movement speed of a sea star as it uses its tube feet to glide over surfaces.MotionRed blood cell in a capillary0.001 m/sA red blood cell in a capillary refers to an erythrocyte moving through the body's smallest blood vessels as part of microcirculation.MotionGarden snail relaxed crawl0.0008 m/sA garden snail relaxed crawl describes the slow, steady movement of a garden snail as it glides along a surface.
MotionSnail crawling0.001 m/sSnail crawling is the slow movement of a snail as it glides along a surface using its muscular foot.MotionBanana slug crawl0.0015 m/sBanana slug crawl refers to the speed at which a banana slug moves across a surface using muscular contractions and mucus secretion.MotionEarthworm surface crawl0.005 m/sEarthworm surface crawl is the rate at which an earthworm moves along the ground by extending and contracting its body segments.