chemotactic

1 definition found

chemotactic - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Chemotaxis \Chem`o*tax"is\, n. Formerly also Chemiotaxis
  \Chem`i*o*tax"is\ [Chemical + Gr. ? arrangement, fr. ? to
     arrange.] (Biol.)
     The sensitiveness exhibited by small free-swimming organisms,
     as bacteria, zoospores of alg[ae], etc., to chemical
     substances held in solution. They may be attracted (positive chemotaxis
     ) or repelled (negative chemotaxis). --
     Chem`o*tac"tic, a. -- Chem`o*tac"tic*al*ly, adv.
     [Webster 1913 Suppl.] chemotherapeutic