Chemosensitivity

/ˌkiːmoʊˌsɛnsɪˈtɪvɪti/ noun

Definition

The quality or degree to which an organism or cell can detect and respond to chemical signals.

Etymology

From chemo- (chemistry) + sensitivity (from Latin sensitivus, 'capable of feeling,' plus -ity for the noun form). This scientific term describes how reactive something is to chemical stimuli.

Kelly Says

Migrating salmon have incredible chemosensitivity that lets them detect one drop of their home river's water in an Olympic swimming pool, basically giving them a chemical GPS system.

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