quorum sensing

[ kwôr′əm ]

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A phenomenon in which a population of bacteria produces and responds to intercellular chemical signals whose concentration indicates the density of the population. When the density reaches a certain level, genes are expressed that allow for coordinated group behavior, as in bioluminescence or the formation of biofilms.

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Words nearby quorum sensing

Quonset hut, quor., quorate, Quorn, quorum, quorum sensing, quot., quota, quotable, quota-hopping, quota sampling

How to use quorum sensing in a sentence

Sensing his opportunity, Joey Biden pounced: “I walked up behind him and smashed his head next to the counter.”
Joe Biden: ‘I’ll Kill Your Son’|Olivia Nuzzi|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Videos of Quorum: Global LGBT Voices talks and panel discussions will be broadcasted on The Daily Beast in coming months.
A Quorum For Change: The Fight For Global LGBT Equality|Justin Jones|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My two elder brothers, overhearing the story, and I think sensing something exciting, wanted to come along, too.
Knocking on Heaven's Door: True Stories of Unexplained, Uncanny Experiences at the Hour of Death|Patricia Pearson|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Crumbs, sensing an opportunity, went public in early 2011, and set about expanding.
The Cupcake Boom’s Sugar High Finally Crashes|Daniel Gross|July 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Many agencies, such as the NLRB and the FEC, have multimember boards that require a quorum to operate.
Deregulators Lost at the Supreme Court When It Comes to Blocking Presidential Appointees|Aziz Haq|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Norumbegam illi nobis nescio quam, vrbsque & castella nominant, quorum hodie ne vmbra quidem aut ipsa vox extant.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
At the third meeting, however, there was a full quorum, and the business done at the previous meetings was duly confirmed.
Report of the Chief Librarian for the Year 1924-25|General Assembly Library (New Zealand)
A quorum is necessary to do business and a majority of the members of each house is considered as a quorum.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
The governor was further to have the initiative of all measures proposed in the council, five of whom were required for a quorum.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
Landy, too, sensing the importance of coming events, improved his appearance by buttoning up his shirt-front.
David Lannarck, Midget|George S. Harney