Dictionary > Magnetotaxis

Magnetotaxis

Definition
noun
A form of taxis characterized by a directional movement of an organism in response to a magnetic field
Supplement
Taxis is a behavioral response of a cell or an organism to an external stimulus. The movement is characteristically directional. The movement may be positive or negative. A positive taxis is one in which the organism or a cell moves towards the source of stimulation (attraction). A negative taxis is when the organism or a cell moves away from the source of stimulation (repulsion).
One of the cell movements identified is magnetotaxis. Magnetotaxis is a directional movement of a cell in response to a magnetic field. The term was coined by R. P. Blakemore in 1975. He described certain motile aquatic bacteria that orient themselves according to the Earth’s magnetic field. These bacteria are now referred to as magnetic bacteria (e.g. Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum). These organisms contain magnetosomes, which are membranous prokaryotic structures containing magnetite crystals that orient them towards geomagnetic fields. They were found to orient themselves magnetically even after death. Thus, this implicates that this response has not about sensing magnetic field. A true display of magnetotaxis has to show the ability to sense a magnetic field and coordinate their cell movement in response to it.
See also:


You will also like...

Chromosomes X and Y and Sex Determination
Chromosomes X and Y and Sex Determination

This tutorial looks at sex determination via the sex chromosomes, X and Y. Read it to get more info on X and Y chromosom..

Population Regulation in an Ecosystem
Population Regulation in an Ecosystem

With regard to the population size of a species and what factors may affect them, two factors have been defined. They ar..

Plant biology
Plant Biology

Plantlife can be studied at a variety of levels, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, c..

Chromosome Mutations
Chromosome Mutations

Mutations can also influence the phenotype of an organism. This tutorial looks at the effects of chromosomal mutations, ..

Plant meristem
Plant Meristems and Growth

In plants, growth occurs in meristems, which are the site of repeated cell division of unspecialized cells. These cells ..

Kidneys
Kidneys and Regulation of Water and Inorganic Ions

The kidneys are responsible for the regulation of water and inorganic ions. Read this tutorial to learn about the differ..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics