Model for the chemotactic response of a bacterial population.

We present a mathematical model for the motion of a bacterial population in prescribed attractant or repellent gradients. The model is suggested by the observations of Mesibov et al. (1973, J. Gen. Physiol. 62:203) and Brown and Berg (1974, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 71:1388) who found that the sensitivity of the chemotactic response depends on the concentration of attractant. Predictions of the theory are in general agreement with the experiments of Dahlquist et al. (1972, Nat. New Biol. 236:120) and of Mesibov et al. on populations of motile bacteria in fixed attractant gradients. Additional tests of the model are proposed.