CHEMOTAXINS Meaning and
Definition
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Chemotaxins refer to specific chemical substances that can cause the directional movement or migration of cells in response to a concentration gradient. These chemicals act as attractants to guide the movement of cells, particularly immune cells, towards a particular site within the body.
Chemotaxins play a crucial role in various physiological processes, including embryonic development, wound healing, and the body's immune response to infections or tissue damage. They are often produced by cells or tissues in response to certain stimuli, such as pathogens or inflammation, and help recruit immune cells to the site of infection or injury.
The mechanism of action behind chemotaxins involves the binding of these chemicals to specific receptors present on the surface of target cells. This binding triggers a cascade of intracellular events, leading to changes in cytoskeletal organization, cellular shape, and the formation of cellular protrusions like pseudopodia. These changes ultimately enable the movement of cells towards the highest concentration of the chemotaxins.
Found within the context of immunology and cellular biology, chemotaxins are an essential component of the body's immune response and are involved in processes like chemotaxis, leukocyte recruitment, and inflammation. Understanding the mechanisms behind chemotaxins is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies targeting immune cell migration in various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory conditions.
Common Misspellings for CHEMOTAXINS
- xhemotaxins
- vhemotaxins
- fhemotaxins
- dhemotaxins
- cgemotaxins
- cbemotaxins
- cnemotaxins
- cjemotaxins
- cuemotaxins
- cyemotaxins
- chwmotaxins
- chsmotaxins
- chdmotaxins
- chrmotaxins
- ch4motaxins
- ch3motaxins
- chenotaxins
- chekotaxins
- chejotaxins
- chemitaxins
Etymology of CHEMOTAXINS
The word "chemotaxins" is derived from two main components: "chemo-" and "-taxin".
1. The prefix "chemo-" comes from the Greek word "khemia", which refers to "chemical action" or "chemical process". It is often used in scientific terms related to chemistry or chemicals.
2. The suffix "-taxin" comes from the Greek word "taxis", meaning "arrangement" or "order". It is commonly used to indicate movement or orientation towards or away from a particular stimulus.
Combining these components, "chemotaxins" refers to substances or chemicals that can induce or direct movement or migration of cells or organisms towards or away from a specific chemical stimulus.
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