Barotaxis
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Barotaxis is the movement of simple or complex organisms caused by mechanical irritation (touch or pressure) acting with unequal force on different parts of the organism. It can be positive or negative, depending on whether the organism moves toward greater or lesser pressure.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
BAROTAXIS, BAROTROPISM (from Greek baros-weight, pressure, taxis-order, direction and trepo-I turn), movement of simple or complex organisms, caused by mechanical irritation (touch, pressure) acting with unequal force on different parts of the organism. Barotaxis can be positive or negative, depending on whether the organism moves toward greater or lesser pressure. Verworn distinguishes several types of Barotaxis: 1) thigmo- or stereotropism - movement under the influence of touch or pressure from a solid body (extension or retraction of pseudopodia of rhizopods, coiling of vines around a stick); 2) rheotropism - the property of certain organisms and cells to swim against the current (plasmodia, spermatozoa); 3) geotropism - movement under the influence of gravity (for example, the positioning of paramecia in the upper layers of liquid).
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Cite this page
“Barotaxis.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/barotaxis/