CHRONOTROPISM Meaning and
Definition
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Chronotropism is a term used in the field of biology and physiology to describe the influence of external or internal stimuli on the rate or rhythm of biological processes or functions through the modulation of time. Specifically, chronotropism refers to the alteration of the rate or timing of events, such as physiological activities, behavioral responses, or even growth and development, in organisms. It can result in an acceleration or deceleration of processes, and it is often driven by factors such as light, temperature, chemical substances, or genetic factors.
Chronotropism is observed across various levels of biological complexity, from cellular and molecular processes to whole organism behaviors. For example, the body's circadian rhythm, the internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles and other physiological functions, is sensitive to external cues such as daylight and darkness, leading to chronotropism in the timing of these activities. Similarly, in plants, the opening and closing of flowers can be influenced by environmental factors like temperature or light, demonstrating the chronotropic nature of these responses.
Understanding chronotropism is crucial for comprehending the adaptive strategies and survival mechanisms of organisms, as well as for predicting and managing biological phenomena in different contexts. By investigating the underlying mechanisms of chronotropism, researchers can gain insights into circadian rhythms, biological clocks, and the effect of environmental cues on the timing of physiological processes.
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Modification of the rapidity of a periodical movement, such as the cardiac pulsation, effected by some external influence.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CHRONOTROPISM
- xhronotropism
- vhronotropism
- fhronotropism
- dhronotropism
- cgronotropism
- cbronotropism
- cnronotropism
- cjronotropism
- curonotropism
- cyronotropism
- cheonotropism
- chdonotropism
- chfonotropism
- chtonotropism
- ch5onotropism
- ch4onotropism
- chrinotropism
- chrknotropism
- chrlnotropism
- chrpnotropism
Etymology of CHRONOTROPISM
The word "chronotropism" is derived from the combination of two roots: "chrono-" and "-tropism".
1. "Chrono-" derives from the Greek word "chronos", meaning time. It is a common prefix used to indicate concepts related to time, such as in words like "chronology" (study of time sequence) and "chronicle" (historical record).
2. "-Tropism" also stems from Greek, specifically from the word "tropos", which means turn or change. "-Tropism" is a suffix that indicates a tendency or response to a specific stimulus. It comes from the Greek verb "trepein", meaning to turn.
Combining these two roots, "chronotropism" refers to the concept of a response or tendency to a stimulus related to time.
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