Galvanotaxis

galvanotaxis

[¦gal·və·nō¦tak·səs]

(biology)

Movement of a free-living organism in response to an electrical stimulus.

Galvanotaxis

 

the active motion of animals (such as infusoria), plants (such as Volvox), microbes (such as Bacillus coli), and cellular organs (plastids) that is directed by an electric current.

Galvanotaxis occurs in an aqueous medium or in the soil. Depending upon current density and voltage, the nature of the substances dissolved in the water, and the reaction of the medium, the organisms can be directed toward the anode (positive galvanotaxis) or toward the cathode (negative galvanotaxis). The basis of galvanotaxis is assumed to be a chemotactic effect on the displacement of cation and anion concentrations that occurs under the influence of electric current.