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tropism Definition

tro·pism (trō′piz′əm)

noun

the positive, or negative, attraction of a plant or sessile animal toward, or away from, a stimulus, as in the turning of a sunflower toward the light

Etymology: < -tropism

tropism Related Forms
tro·pis′·tic adjective
tropism Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • virus: The virus first binds to its host cell via specific sialic acid residues, which can control the species tropism of the virus.

Converse of object

  • have: The virus also has gastrointestinal tropism in various bird species.
  • determine: Chapters on HIV-1 replication and the factors that determine cell tropism are included.

Adjective modifier

  • different: Both SPA and ENT are tumors of secretory epithelial cells yet ENTV and JSRV appear to have different tropisms.

Noun used with modifier

  • tissue: Virulence is complex and involves a number of features, including host adaptation, transmissibility, tissue tropism and virus replication efficiency.
  • kernel: It may be wondered if the move to kernel tropism in trope bundle and sheaf theory is absolutely necessary.