A substance that attracts bacteria or promotes bacterial growth and movement toward a target.
From bacterio- + -tropin (from Greek 'tropikos,' turning). A technical term from early 20th century microbiology describing bacterial attractants and growth promoters.
Quorum sensing chemicals are like bacterial bacteriotropins—invisible messages bacteria send each other saying 'hey, let's gather here and attack!'—which scientists are learning to intercept and confuse.
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