magnetotaxis

English

Etymology

From magneto- +‎ taxis; coined in 1975 by R. P. Blakemore to describe certain motile aquatic bacteria.

Noun

magnetotaxis (uncountable)

1. (biology) The supposed ability to sense a magnetic field and coordinate movement in response, later discovered to be natural magnetism: such creatures orient themselves magnetically even after death

Related terms

• magnetotactic

Translations

the supposed ability to sense a magnetic field and coordinate movement in response

• French: magnétotactisme (fr) m, magnétotaxie (fr) f
• Italian: magnetotattismo (it)