Thermotaxis
Thermotaxis (pronounced: ther-mo-tax-is) is a biological phenomenon where an organism's movement is affected by the temperature of its environment.
Etymology
The term "thermotaxis" is derived from the Greek words "thermo" meaning heat, and "taxis" meaning arrangement or order.
Definition
Thermotaxis refers to the movement of an organism towards or away from a source of heat. This behavior is observed in many organisms, including bacteria, plants, and animals. It is a type of taxis, which is a response to a stimulus in the environment.
Types of Thermotaxis
There are two types of thermotaxis: positive and negative.
- Positive Thermotaxis: This is when an organism moves towards a source of heat. This is common in cold-blooded animals like reptiles, which need to regulate their body temperature by moving to warmer areas.
- Negative Thermotaxis: This is when an organism moves away from a source of heat. This is common in organisms that prefer cooler environments, like certain species of fish and insects.
Related Terms
- Chemotaxis: The movement of an organism in response to a chemical stimulus.
- Phototaxis: The movement of an organism in response to light.
- Geotaxis: The movement of an organism in response to gravity.
- Rheotaxis: The movement of an organism in response to a current of water or air.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Thermotaxis
- Wikipedia's article - Thermotaxis
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