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Glite Dictionary
chemotaxis

chemotaxis

1 9.4
Movement of a cell toward or away from a chemical
  • noun
  • /ˌkiːmoʊˈtæksɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : quimiotaxis
  • The answer is chemotaxis, the process of cells following chemical gradients.
  • bacterial chemotaxis
  • the process of chemotaxis
  • model system for chemotaxis

Acute high blood sugar decreases your neutrophils chemotaxis, phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity.

Examples

  • The researchers observed chemotaxis in the way the cells migrated toward the glucose concentration.

  • We tested for this possibility by performing a chemotaxis assay on wild-type animals toward or away from ethanol.

    Academic text (2017)

  • In addition to wound healing, chemotaxis is important to many other biological processes.

    Academic text (2012)

  • So I'll develop a similar mechanism to chemotaxis, which is movement along a gradient towards a chemical signal.

    Blog text (34)

  • Dictyostelium has become a favorite model system for chemotaxis among biologists and physicists alike for a number of reasons.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Patients with active psoriasis vulgaris had a significant increase in neutrophil random migration and directed chemotaxis.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Chemotaxis, however, is not limited to eukaryotic cells but is also employed by bacterial (prokaryotic) cells.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Chemotaxis is essential for bacteria to find chemotaxis and escape harmful substances.

  • During chemotaxis, immune cells move toward the site of infection in response to chemical signals.

Synonyms

taxis
vschemotaxis
  • Specialized
9.0

Movement by a living thing toward something helpful or away from something harmful

moves specifically in response to chemical signals rather than any stimulus

Compounds

negative chemotaxis
  • Specialized
7.8

Movement of a cell or small organism away from a chemical

positive chemotaxis
  • Specialized
7.9

Movement of a cell toward a stronger chemical signal

Surface Forms

chemotaxis singular
chemotaxes plural

Morphology

chemotaxis = chemo + taxis (semi-transparent) = chemo + taxis

The term is compositionally built from 'chemo-' (chemical) + '-taxis' (movement), but both elements are technical combining forms that may be unfamiliar to general learners.

Etymology

The word chemotaxis comes from chemo- meaning 'chemical' and -taxis meaning 'arrangement' or 'ordered movement', a root you also see in tactic and syntax. So, chemotaxis is when cells or tiny organisms move toward or away from a chemical, guided by that chemical.