- Kinesis
:"For the band, see
Kinesis (band) . For the ergonomic keyboard, seeKinesis (keyboard) ."Kinesis, like a
taxis , is a movement or activity of a cell or an organism in response to a stimulus. However, unlike taxis, the response to the stimulus provided (such ashumidity ,light intensity or ambienttemperature ) is non-directional.The two main types of kineses include:
Orthokinesis: in which the speed of movement of the individual is dependent upon the intensity of the stimulus. Take, for example, the locomotion of a woodlouse in relation to temperature. With increased humidity there is an increase in the percentage time that the woodlouse will remain stationary.
Klinokinesis: in which the frequency or rate of turning is proportional to stimulus intensity.
Both orthokinesis and klinokineses result in aggregations. However, it must be noted that the stimulus does not act to attract or repel individuals.
The same prefixes used with "taxis" can be applied to kineses; see also
-kinesis .ee also
*
Brownian motion
*Nastic movements References
*Kendeigh, S. Charles. 1961. "Animal Ecology". Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 468 p.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.