What is chemotaxis?

Chemotaxis is defined as the movement of cells in response to chemical stimuli. This process allows organisms or cells to navigate their environment by moving towards beneficial chemicals, such as nutrients, or away from harmful substances. In the context of biology, this is particularly important for immune cells that migrate toward sites of infection or inflammation, as well as for bacteria that move toward food sources. The ability to detect and respond to chemical gradients is crucial for survival and functioning in various biological processes.

The other options describe different biological phenomena but do not accurately define chemotaxis. For example, the movement of cells in response to light refers to phototaxis, while cell division is a completely separate process related to mitosis or meiosis. Similarly, the adherence of cells to one another pertains to cell adhesion rather than directional movement in response to chemicals.