Analytical Approach for Calculating the Chemotaxis Sensitivity Function

Abstract

We consider the chemotaxis problem for a one-dimensional system. To analyze the interaction of bacteria and an attractant, we use a modified Keller–Segel model, which accounts for the attractant absorption. To describe the system, we use the chemotaxis sensitivity function, which characterizes the nonuniformity of the bacteria distribution. In particular, we investigate how the chemotaxis sensitivity function depends on the concentration of an attractant at the boundary of the system. It is known that, in the system without absorption, the chemotaxis sensitivity function has a bell shape maximum. Here, we show that the attractant absorption and special boundary conditions for bacteria can cause the appearance of an additional maximum in the chemotaxis sensitivity function. The value of this maximum is determined by the intensity of absorption.