AEROTAXIS Meaning and
Definition
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Aerotaxis is a term used to describe the phenomenon in which certain organisms exhibit directional movement or orientation in response to changes in air or gas concentrations. Derived from the Greek word "aero," meaning air, and "taxis," meaning arrangement, it refers to the ability of certain organisms to sense and respond to variations in airborne chemical signals.
Aerotaxis is commonly observed in many aerobically respiring microorganisms, such as bacteria, which possess specific receptors that allow them to detect and move towards or away from different concentrations of gases or airborne molecules. These receptors enable the organisms to navigate towards favorable environments or avoid potentially harmful conditions.
The process of aerotaxis relies on the detection of gradient differences in gas concentrations, generally oxygen or other compounds that bacteria rely on for respiration or energy production. By sensing changes in their immediate environment, organisms can adjust their swimming or crawling behaviors, allowing them to migrate towards regions with higher oxygen levels or away from areas with low oxygen or high concentrations of harmful gases.
Aerotaxis plays a crucial role in mediating the movement and distribution of microorganisms in various environments, such as soil, water, or even the human body. It is an essential mechanism for ensuring survival, as it aids in the identification and colonization of optimal niches, as well as protecting themselves from potentially toxic or inhospitable surroundings. Studying aerotaxis provides valuable insights into the behavior and physiology of microorganisms, offering potential applications in fields such as bioremediation, microbiology, and environmental monitoring.
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The movement of living organisms to or away from the air, noting especially the attraction or repulsion by oxygen of aerobic and anaerobic organisms.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AEROTAXIS
- zerotaxis
- serotaxis
- werotaxis
- qerotaxis
- awrotaxis
- asrotaxis
- adrotaxis
- arrotaxis
- a4rotaxis
- a3rotaxis
- aeeotaxis
- aedotaxis
- aefotaxis
- aetotaxis
- ae5otaxis
- ae4otaxis
- aeritaxis
- aerktaxis
- aerltaxis
- aerptaxis
Etymology of AEROTAXIS
The word "aerotaxis" is derived from the combination of two components: "aero" and "taxis".
The prefix "aero" comes from the Greek word "aēr", meaning "air" or "atmosphere". It is commonly used in words related to the air, aviation, or aircraft.
The term "taxis" is also of Greek origin and refers to movement or orientation in response to a stimulus. It is derived from the Greek word "tassein", meaning "to arrange" or "to put in order". In scientific terminology, "taxis" generally denotes the directed movement of an organism or a cell towards or away from a particular stimulus.
Combining these two components, "aerotaxis" refers to the directed movement or orientation of an organism or a cell in response to air or airborne stimuli.
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