Bacteria not slowed by obstacles Naked Scientists, In Short Special Editions Podcast
-
- Life Sciences
Researchers have gained new insights into how bacteria move in complex environments. Bacteria move using a system called "swim-and-tumble": they swim in a straight line for a bit, then tumble in a circle, which gives them a chance to correct their course. They can't see where they're going - they can't see at all - but they can sense and follow gradients of increasing concentration of food, like following a delicious smell into the kitchen. This type of movement is called chemotaxis, and it's been well studied in bacteria moving in a clear area. But in the real world, such as inside the human... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Researchers have gained new insights into how bacteria move in complex environments. Bacteria move using a system called "swim-and-tumble": they swim in a straight line for a bit, then tumble in a circle, which gives them a chance to correct their course. They can't see where they're going - they can't see at all - but they can sense and follow gradients of increasing concentration of food, like following a delicious smell into the kitchen. This type of movement is called chemotaxis, and it's been well studied in bacteria moving in a clear area. But in the real world, such as inside the human... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
5 min