An elementary model for directed active motion (Q1341697)

To model animals exploring their vicinity, say to find food, various mechanisms have been suggested. We consider animal motion on the phenomenological level, describing the general phenomena without regard to specific biological features of the species. We do not care about creeping or swimming motion and alike. We rather consider the randomness or directedness of the trials. In this frame, motion of primitive organisms, like amoeba, is well described by the random zigzag of Brownian motion. The basic features of the model developed here are: (i) The dynamics of the particles is given by a Langevin equation with space-dependent potential and friction; (ii) the friction is on average positive but has areas with negative friction that model areas of food; (iii) in generalized versions of the model a time delay between pumping and acceleration is introduced.