From what you should now know about bacterial taxis and nodule formation, predict how a rhizobium would respond to a flavonoid.

The bacterium would possess positive chemotaxis.

Chemotaxis refers to the movement of a species in reaction to a chemical stimulus. Bacteria, somatic cells, and other single-cell or multicellular species mediate their movements on the basis of some kind of chemicals in their surroundings.

Positive chemotaxis takes place if the movement is towards a greater concentration of the chemical in question.

Answer;

-The bacterium would exhibit positive chemotaxis.

Explanation;

-Chemotaxis is the movement of cells or organisms in response to chemicals, whereby the cells are attracted (positive chemotaxis) or repelled (negative chemotaxis) by substances exhibiting chemical properties.

Flavonoids play a crucial role as signal molecules in promoting the formation of nodules by symbiotic bacteria commonly known as rhizobia. The roots of leguminous plants use positive chemotaxis to attract rhizobia. Flavonoids are the chemicals associated with attraction of Rhizobium bacteria.