chemotropism

Chemotropism is a biological response where cells or organisms orient themselves in response to chemical stimuli. This is a type of tropism, which is a directional response of a plant or lower animal to a stimulus that is more intense from one direction than another.12

In simpler terms, chemotropism is how living things move towards or away from certain chemicals. For example, some organisms might move towards a food source (a type of chemotropism called trophotropism) or away from a harmful substance. This movement is crucial for processes like finding nutrients or avoiding toxins.3