acrasin
|ac-ra-sin|
C2
/ˈækrəsɪn/
chemical signal in slime molds
Etymology
Etymology Information
'acrasin' originates from the Greek word 'akrasia,' meaning 'lack of self-control,' reflecting the uncontrolled movement of cells towards the chemical signal.
Historical Evolution
The term 'acrasin' was coined in the 20th century to describe the chemical signaling in slime molds.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to the chemical signal in slime molds, and this meaning has remained consistent.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
acrasin is a chemical substance secreted by certain slime molds that acts as a signal to attract other cells, leading to aggregation.
The slime mold secretes acrasin to form a multicellular structure.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/26 07:51