chemotropism

American  

[ki-mo-truh-piz-uhm] / kɪˈmɒ trəˌpɪz əm /

noun

Biology.

1. oriented growth or movement in response to a chemical stimulus.

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chemotropism British  

/ ˌkɛməʊˈtrɒpɪk, ˌkɛməʊˈtrəʊˌpɪzəm /

noun

1. the growth response of an organism, esp a plant, to a chemical stimulus

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Other Word Forms

• chemotropic adjective
• chemotropically adverb

Etymology

Origin of chemotropism

First recorded in 1895–1900; chemo- + -tropism

Example Sentences

Such attraction is called chemotropism and is supposed to be due in the cases mentioned, to the action of chemical substances such as are given off by the bacteria or the dead cells.

From Disease and Its Causes by Councilman, William Thomas

Herbst pointed out that this might be a case of chemotropism, caused by the oxygen surrounding the egg.

From Darwin and Modern Science by Seward, A. C. (Albert Charles)

It is chemotropism, not solicitude for its offspring, which drives the flesh fly to lay its eggs on decaying meat.

From Being Well-Born An Introduction to Eugenics by Guyer, Michael F.