Chemotaxis Simulation
Press & wait. Repeat to
spread gradient colors.
When cells detect certain chemical attractants they can find their source by moving up a chemical concentration gradient.
That is, they move in the direction of higher chemical concentrations. This is called chemotaxis.
For example, chemokine molecules attract and help immune system cells, such as macrophages or T-Killer cells, to home in on their targets.
Likewise, bacteria can find nutrients by swimming up chemical gradients.
In this simulation, the virtual chemical attractant is located in the center of a randomly generated maze.
Likewise, bacteria can find nutrients by swimming up chemical gradients.
In this simulation, the virtual chemical attractant is located in the center of a randomly generated maze.
- Press NEW to make a new maze. Because this is a random process, sometimes the maze walls can completely enclose the attractant. In that case the attractant cannot be reached.
- Press GRADIENT to release the virtual chemical. This takes some time. When it is done you will see rainbow colors corresponding to chemical concentrations. Repeat to make sure that the chemical spreads as far as possible.
- Click the radio buttons to start/pause the organism. If there is a path to the target, the organism should find it.