Chemotactic

/ˌkiːmoʊˈtæktɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to the movement of organisms or cells toward or away from chemical substances in their environment.

Etymology

From chemotaxis (chemo- 'chemical' + -taxis from Greek taxis 'arrangement, order, movement'). The term developed in biology in the late 1800s to describe directed movement responses.

Kelly Says

Sperm cells racing toward an egg aren't just swimming randomly—they follow a chemical trail like a bloodhound following a scent, guided by molecules the egg releases to attract them.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.