Translation guide
The biological phenomenon of directional growth or movement in response to an external stimulus. In Japanese, this is expressed with the suffix 〜性 (〜せい) attached to the stimulus name, or with specific scientific terms.
屈性
tropism (biology)
To refer to the general concept of tropism in biology, or to name a specific type of tropism (e.g., phototropism, geotropism).
The standard biological term for tropism, referring to directional growth in response to a stimulus. Often used in compound words with the stimulus prefix.
植物の屈性は、環境への適応の一例です。
Plant tropism is an example of adaptation to the environment.
A suffix meaning 'tropism' or 'taxis' when attached to a stimulus name. Commonly used in scientific contexts. For example, 光 (ひかり, light) + 〜性 = 光性 (こうせい, phototropism).
この植物は光性が強い。
This plant has strong phototropism.
Refers specifically to taxis (directional movement of an organism), as opposed to growth-based tropism. Used in microbiology and zoology.
屈性 (くっせい) refers to directional growth in response to a stimulus (e.g., plants bending toward light). 走性 (そうせい) refers to directional movement of an entire organism (e.g., bacteria swimming toward nutrients). Use 屈性 for plants and fungi, and 走性 for motile organisms.
Bacterial taxis is caused by chemical substances.