%chemiotaxis%

{ n. Formerly also }. [ Chemical + Gr. &unr_; arrangement, fr. &unr_; to arrange. ] (Biol.) The sensitiveness exhibited by small free-swimming organisms, as bacteria, zoospores of algæ, etc., to chemical substances held in solution. They may be attracted (positive chemotaxis) or repelled (negative chemotaxis). -- Chem`o*tac"tic a. -- Chem`o*tac"tic*al*ly, adv. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]