chemotaksis
Chemotaksis, or chemotaxis, is the directed movement of a cell or organism in response to a chemical gradient. It is a fundamental mechanism by which single cells (such as bacteria, amoebae, and immune cells) and multicellular tissues coordinate migration during development, immune responses, wound healing, and infection. Movement is guided by attractants that elicit positive chemotaxis or repellents that cause negative chemotaxis; the strength and profile of the gradient influence direction and speed.
In bacteria, chemotaxis enables navigation toward nutrients or away from harmful substances. The process uses chemoreceptors,
In eukaryotic cells, chemotaxis involves more complex signaling networks that coordinate polarized movement. Receptors—often G protein-coupled
Experimental study of chemotaxis employs assays and microfluidic devices that create stable chemical gradients to analyze