gradient

gradient /gra·di·ent/ (gra´de-ent) rate of increase or decrease of a variable value, or its graphic representation.

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electrochemical gradient  a difference in ion concentration between two points so that ions tend to move passively along it.

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gra·di·ent (grd-nt)

n.

1. The rate at which a physical quantity, such as temperature or pressure, changes relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.

2. A series of progressively increasing or decreasing differences in the growth rate, metabolism, or physiological activity of a cell, an organ, or an organism.

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gradient

[grā′dē·ənt]

Etymology: L, gradus, step

1 the rate of increase or decrease of a measurable phenomenon, such as temperature or pressure.

2 a visual representation of the rate of change of a measurable phenomenon; a curve.

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gradient

rate of increase or decrease of a variable value.