1. Movement of cells or organisms in response to chemicals, whereby the cells are attracted (positive c.) or repelled (negative c.) by substances exhibiting chemical properties. 2. The migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages toward higher concentrations of certain fragments of complement. SYN: chemiotaxis, chemotropism. [chemo- + G. taxis, orderly arrangement]
* * *
che·mo·tax·is -'tak-səs n, pl -tax·es -.sēz orientation or movement of an organism or cell in relation to chemical agents
* * *
n.
movement of a cell or organism in response to the stimulus of a gradient of chemical concentration.
* * *
che·mo·tax·is (ke″mo-takґsis) [chemo- + -taxis] directional movement of a cell or organism in response to a chemical concentration gradient. Cf chemokinesis. chemotactic adjMedical dictionary. 2011.