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 · representative
Typical recorded range: 1 × 10⁻⁶ m/s to 3 × 10⁻⁵ m/s.
A little perspective
Sperm cell swimming is about 5 times larger on this measurement.
Sperm cell swimming: Sperm cell swimming refers to the speed at which a human sperm cell moves through fluid using its tail for propulsion.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Slime mould migration
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
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
For comparison, this page uses migration speed. This is labelled representative; the central value is useful for comparison, while real values or measurement solutions 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 identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Slime mould migration 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
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible speed records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · MotionFingernail growth1 × 10⁻⁹ m/sFingernail growth is the process by which human fingernails gradually extend from the base of the nail bed over time.Nearest higher value · 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.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
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.