Magnetotaxis
Magnetotaxis
Magnetotaxis (/mæɡˌniːtoʊˈtæksɪs/) is a biological phenomenon observed in certain bacteria and protozoa, which allows them to orient themselves and migrate along the Earth's magnetic field lines.
Etymology
The term "magnetotaxis" is derived from the Greek words "magnēt-" meaning magnet and "-taxis" meaning arrangement or order. It was first used in the late 20th century to describe the behavior of certain aquatic microorganisms.
Description
Magnetotactic bacteria contain structures called magnetosomes, which are intracellular organelles containing magnetic mineral crystals. These magnetosomes are aligned in chains to form a magnetic dipole, which interacts with the Earth's magnetic field, causing the bacteria to align and swim along the field lines. This behavior is thought to aid in their search for optimal conditions in stratified environments.
Related Terms
- Magnetosome: An intracellular organelle in magnetotactic bacteria that contains magnetic mineral crystals.
- Magnetic dipole: A system which produces a magnetic field, such as the arrangement of magnetosomes in magnetotactic bacteria.
- Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).
- Protozoa: A diverse group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms, many of which are motile.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Magnetotaxis
- Wikipedia's article - Magnetotaxis
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