chemotropism

A plant's roots exhibit chemotropism by growing toward a nutrient source in the soil.

Definition

Noun:
- Biological orientation: "Chemotropism" refers to the growth or movement of a living organism, especially a plant or a cell, in response to a chemical stimulus. This directional response can be either toward (positive chemotropism) or away from (negative chemotropism) the chemical.

Usage Examples

Noun:
- The roots of the plant exhibit chemotropism by growing toward nutrients in the soil. (The roots move directionally in response to chemicals.)
- Pollen tubes show chemotropism as they grow toward chemicals released by the ovule. (The tubes orient themselves toward a chemical signal.)

Advanced Usage

"to demonstrate chemotropism": to show a directional response to a chemical.
- Certain fungi demonstrate chemotropism by growing toward food sources. (They move directionally toward chemicals indicating food.)
"positive chemotropism": growth toward a chemical stimulus.
- The algae displayed positive chemotropism toward the light-mimicking chemical. (They moved toward the chemical.)
"negative chemotropism": growth away from a chemical stimulus.
- The bacteria exhibited negative chemotropism, moving away from the toxic substance. (They moved away from the chemical.)

Variants and Related Words

Chemotropic (adj): relating to or exhibiting chemotropism.
- The chemotropic response of the seedling was observed in the lab. (The directional response to chemicals was noted.)
Chemotaxis (n): movement of an organism or cell toward or away from a chemical stimulus, often used for mobile organisms (distinct from chemotropism, which involves growth).
- White blood cells use chemotaxis to move toward infection sites. (They move directionally in response to chemicals.)

Synonyms

Chemical tropism: a broader term for directional growth in response to chemicals.
Chemo-orientation: the process of orienting toward or away from chemicals.

Related Idioms