CHEMOATTRACTANT Meaning and
Definition
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A chemoattractant is a substance that exerts an attractive effect on living organisms by inducing directed movement towards its source. It is commonly found in various biological processes, particularly in the field of cell biology and immunology. Chemoattractants are highly influential in guiding the migration of cells, such as leukocytes, towards the site of inflammation or infection in order to combat pathogens.
Chemotaxis, the term associated with the movement of cells in response to chemical gradients, is mediated by chemoattractants. These chemical signals are typically small molecules or proteins that bind to specific receptors on the cell surface. The interaction between the chemoattractant and its receptor initiates signaling cascades inside the cell, leading to changes in the cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, and ultimately cell migration towards the chemoattractant molecule.
Furthermore, chemoattractants are not only crucial for immune responses but also play essential roles in developmental processes, such as embryogenesis and tissue repair. They guide the migration of cells during embryonic development to ensure proper tissue organization and facilitate wound healing by attracting cells to the injured area.
Overall, chemoattractants are fundamental mediators of directional cell migration, allowing cells to respond to chemical gradients in their environment and providing an essential mechanism for organisms to navigate towards specific targets.
Common Misspellings for CHEMOATTRACTANT
- xhemoattractant
- vhemoattractant
- fhemoattractant
- dhemoattractant
- cgemoattractant
- cbemoattractant
- cnemoattractant
- cjemoattractant
- cuemoattractant
- cyemoattractant
- chwmoattractant
- chsmoattractant
- chdmoattractant
- chrmoattractant
- ch4moattractant
- ch3moattractant
- chenoattractant
- chekoattractant
- chejoattractant
- chemiattractant
Etymology of CHEMOATTRACTANT
The word "chemoattractant" is derived from three components: "chemo", "attract", and "-ant".
"Chemo-" comes from the Greek word "khemia" (χημία), which means "art of alloying metals" or "alchemy". In a broader sense, it refers to the study of chemical elements and compounds. Over time, the prefix "chemo-" has come to be associated with anything related to chemicals or chemistry.
The word "attract" comes from the Latin word "atrahere", which means "to draw, pull, or allure". It refers to the ability to draw something towards oneself or to evoke interest or admiration.
The suffix "-ant" is commonly used to form adjectives or nouns to indicate something or someone that performs a particular action or has a specific characteristic.
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