chemotaxis

[ kee-moh-tak-sis, kem-oh- ]

noun

, Biology.

1. oriented movement toward or away from a chemical stimulus.

chemotaxis

/ ˌkɛməʊˈtæksɪs /

noun

1. the movement of a microorganism or cell in response to a chemical stimulus

chemotaxis

/ kē′mō-tăk′sĭs,kĕm′ō- /

1. The characteristic movement or orientation of an organism or cell along a chemical concentration gradient either toward or away from the chemical stimulus. Bacteria exhibit chemotaxis when they move toward a source of nutrients.

Derived Forms

• ˌchemoˈtactic, adjective
• ˌchemoˈtactically, adverb

Other Words From

• che·mo·tac·tic [kee-moh-, tak, -tik, kem-oh-], adjective
• chemo·tacti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of chemotaxis¹

First recorded in 1890–95; chemo- + -taxis

Example Sentences

Chemotaxis alone will not explain the continuance of leukocytosis for more than a short time.

From Project Gutenberg

Non-phagocytic leukocytosis is probably due more to stimulation of blood-making organs than to chemotaxis.

From Project Gutenberg

Pfeffer in 1883 discovered chemotaxis, the directive action of chemical substances on the movement of mobile organisms.

From Project Gutenberg

Chemotaxis means simply the effect of the presence of certain substances on vital organisms without specific chemical action.

From Project Gutenberg

In general, the response of the leukocytes to chemotaxis is a conservative process.

From Project Gutenberg