What does chemotactically mean?
Chemotactically is an adverb meaning “in a chemotactic manner.” It describes movement that is directionally guided by a chemical stimulus, such as a cell or microorganism traveling toward a nutrient, a signaling molecule, or another relevant substance, or moving away from a harmful one. The word is most common in biology, microbiology, immunology, and related medical sciences. It differs from chemotropically, which refers to directional growth rather than movement. Although chemotactically is technical, it is precise and useful because it identifies a distinctive kind of directed response: movement governed by the relative concentration of chemicals in the environment. The related noun chemotaxis names this phenomenon, while the adjective chemotactic describes a process, cell, or organism that responds in this way.
adverbIn a chemotactic manner; by responding directionally to a chemical stimulus, especially by moving toward or away from a substance.
- In response to a chemical stimulus, especially by moving directionally toward or away from a substance.
"The bacteria swam chemotactically toward the nutrient-rich region of the culture."
"The cells moved chemotactically along the gradient of a signaling molecule."
"The microorganism swam chemotactically toward the source of its food."
Even bacteria can follow a chemical trail without smelling it: many move chemotactically toward nutrients and away from harmful substances.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does chemotactically come from?
Chemotactically is formed from chemotactic, a combining of the element chemo-, denoting chemistry or chemical substances, with the Greek-derived taxis, associated with arrangement or ordered movement. The suffix -ally turns the adjective into the adverb chemotactically. Its closest conceptual relatives include chemotaxis, chemotropism, and chemoreceptor, all of which use the same chemical-movement or chemical-reception terminology.
How chemotactically is actually used
This is a specialized biological and medical adverb, normally used in scientific contexts. It is especially associated with the directional movement of cells, microorganisms, and other organisms in response to chemical gradients.
Easily confused with chemotactically
Chemotactically describes directional movement in response to a chemical stimulus, whereas chemotropically describes directional growth or bending in response to one.