On Growth, Form, and Function—A Fantasia on the Design of a Mammal

1973 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Iberall
Keyword(s):  
Growth Form ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Living System ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Entire Class ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Physical Essence ◽  
Design Characteristics ◽  
And Function ◽  
Biological Organisms

The development of a system’s biology, as a common construct for both physiologist and engineer, requires both a theory of structures (form) and a theory of dynamics (function). A dynamic organizing principle—“homeokinesis”—for the living system was proposed earlier. Based on thermodynamic reasoning, homeokinesis attempts to capture the physical essence of homeostasis. Now, a primitive foundation is proposed from which a large family of design characteristics might emerge, by self-organization, in complex biological organisms. This foundation is directed at the emergence of major form parameters of the entire class of mammalia, from 3 gm adult shrews to 100,000 kg whales.

Form and Function of Mediterranean Shrublands

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen J. Esler ◽  
Anna L. Jacobsen ◽  
R. Brandon Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Evolution ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Adaptive Traits ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Leaf Type ◽  
Evergreen Shrub ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
And Function

The archetypal shrub type that dominates most of the regions that experience mediterranean-type climate (MTC) is an evergreen shrub with thick and leathery leaves (sclerophyllous). The occurrence of large stands of such shrubs in all MTC regions led early biogeographers to hypothesize that the MTC selects for this growth form and leaf type and that this had led to convergent evolution (see Chapters 1 and 2). This hypothesis has received considerable research interest and continues to be examined. In this chapter we consider the structure and physiology of these archetypal MTC region shrub species and examine evidence for convergent evolution in their structure and function. We also assess the key adaptive traits that enable the shrub species that compose mediterranean-type vegetation (MTV) communities to thrive in MTC regions.

Plant Canopies: Their Growth Form and Function.

1990 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 553
Author(s):  
H. G. Jones ◽  
G. Russel ◽  
B. Marshall ◽  
P. G. Jarvis
Keyword(s):  
Growth Form ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Plant Canopies ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals The Euler spiral of rat whiskers

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. eaax5145
Author(s):  
Eugene L. Starostin ◽  
Robyn A. Grant ◽  
Gary Dougill ◽  
Gert H. M. van der Heijden ◽  
Victor G. A. Goss
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Study ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Mathematical Equation ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Mystacial Vibrissae ◽  
And Function ◽  
Euler Spiral ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Gaining Insight

This paper reports on an analytical study of the intrinsic shapes of 523 whiskers from 15 rats. We show that the variety of whiskers on a rat’s cheek, each of which has different lengths and shapes, can be described by a simple mathematical equation such that each whisker is represented as an interval on the Euler spiral. When all the representative curves of mystacial vibrissae for a single rat are assembled together, they span an interval extending from one coiled domain of the Euler spiral to the other. We additionally find that each whisker makes nearly the same angle of 47∘ with the normal to the spherical virtual surface formed by the tips of whiskers, which constitutes the rat’s tactile sensory shroud or “search space.” The implications of the linear curvature model for gaining insight into relationships between growth, form, and function are discussed.

scholarly journals Wnt/β-catenin Signaling in Tissue Self-Organization

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 939
Author(s):  
Kelvin W. Pond ◽  
Konstantin Doubrovinski ◽  
Curtis A. Thorne
Keyword(s):  
Early Embryogenesis ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Spatial Properties ◽  
Wnt Proteins ◽  
Tissue Patterning ◽  
And Function ◽  
Type Specification ◽  
Tissue Form

Across metazoans, animal body structures and tissues exist in robust patterns that arise seemingly out of stochasticity of a few early cells in the embryo. These patterns ensure proper tissue form and function during early embryogenesis, development, homeostasis, and regeneration. Fundamental questions are how these patterns are generated and maintained during tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Though fascinating scientists for generations, these ideas remain poorly understood. Today, it is apparent that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a central role in tissue patterning. Wnt proteins are small diffusible morphogens which are essential for cell type specification and patterning of tissues. In this review, we highlight several mechanisms described where the spatial properties of Wnt/β-catenin signaling are controlled, allowing them to work in combination with other diffusible molecules to control tissue patterning. We discuss examples of this self-patterning behavior during development and adult tissues’ maintenance. The combination of new physiological culture systems, mathematical approaches, and synthetic biology will continue to fuel discoveries about how tissues are patterned. These insights are critical for understanding the intricate interplay of core patterning signals and how they become disrupted in disease.

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