What is a gradient and what is its difference from a concentration profile in chemotaxis assays?

When performing chemotaxis assas, the terms gradient and concentration profile are often confused with each other. The concentration profile describes the distribution of concentration (e.g., of a specific compound) over a certain distance. The gradient is the slope of one particular point of a concentration profile. In linear concentration profiles, the gradient (slope) is identical at all positions, whereas the absolute concentration changes. When there are no concentration differences, the gradient is 0.

Helpful? (0) (2)