How Do You Spell CHEMIOTAXIS?

Pronunciation: [kˌɛmɪətˈaksɪs] (IPA)

The word "chemiotaxis," pronounced /kɛmiɒtæksɪs/, refers to the movement of cells or microorganisms in response to a chemical gradient. Its spelling can be broken down into two parts, "chemio-" coming from the Greek word "khemía" meaning "alchemy" or "chemistry," and "-taxis" originating from the Greek "táxis," meaning "arrangement" or "order." The Greek "kh" sound is represented in English by "ch," and the "o" in "chemio" is pronounced as a schwa. The "s" in "chemiotaxis" is pronounced as a voiced sibilant /z/.

CHEMIOTAXIS Meaning and Definition

1. Chemotaxis is a physiological process exhibited by many living organisms, particularly bacteria, where they move in response to chemical stimuli. It involves the directed movement of the organism towards a higher concentration of a specific chemical substance or away from a lower concentration, in order to locate or avoid certain substances in their environment.

   The process of chemotaxis begins with the detection of the chemical stimulus by specialized receptor proteins in the organism's cell membrane. These receptors bind to the specific chemicals and trigger a signaling pathway within the organism's cell, leading to changes in its movement or behavior.

   In bacteria, chemotaxis is mediated by a specialized structure called the flagellum, a tail-like appendage that allows bacteria to move. When bacteria detect a higher concentration of a chemical substance, they propel themselves towards it by running (moving in a straight line) in a process called "positive chemotaxis." Conversely, when they detect a lower concentration of a certain substance, they change their movement pattern to a tumble or random movement, known as "negative chemotaxis."

   Chemotaxis plays a crucial role in several biological processes, such as finding food sources, escaping harmful environments, or engaging in symbiotic interactions with other organisms. This mechanism allows bacteria to navigate through complex environments and adapt their behavior by changing their orientation and direction to optimize their chances of survival and growth.

2. Chemotaxis.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for CHEMIOTAXIS

• chemitaxis
• chemotaxia
• chemotaxis
• xhemiotaxis
• vhemiotaxis
• fhemiotaxis
• dhemiotaxis
• cgemiotaxis
• cbemiotaxis
• cnemiotaxis
• cjemiotaxis
• cuemiotaxis
• cyemiotaxis
• chwmiotaxis
• chsmiotaxis
• chdmiotaxis
• chrmiotaxis
• ch4miotaxis
• ch3miotaxis
• cheniotaxis

Etymology of CHEMIOTAXIS

The word "chemiotaxis" is derived from two Greek words: "cheimon", meaning "chemical", and "taxis", meaning "movement" or "arrangement". Therefore, "chemiotaxis" refers to the phenomenon of directed movement or orientation of an organism or cell in response to chemicals in its environment.