Megan Allen Biology Lab 1615 10am Thursday class Teacher: Lata Moses Plant biomechanics: an overview and

prospectus American Journal of Botany June 2006

Introduction This article is a broad spectrum study of plants on land, in water, structure in design internally and externally. How wind and environment affects plants in comparison of how each type of plant responds more so which structure is the best. There is a long history of research performed on plant biomechanics from many well know physicists and engineers throughout history from 1500s to the 20th century. Acknowledging the 100th year addition to celebrate the founding American Journal of Botany represented by Judy Jernstedt, botanical society of America special issue devoted to plant biomechanics in October 2005. History of plant biomechanics studies Starting with Leonardo da Vinci (1500s) his interest in fluid mechanics was inspired by his observation that the cross-sectional areas of tree trunks are roughly equal to the sum of the branch cross-sectional areas distal to any point along a trunks length. Based on meticulous examinations of the d andelion pappus and maple samara research inspired the invention of the first parachute, and auto gyroscopic propeller study by Galileo Galilei (1638) he used the hollow stalks of grass to illustrate his idea that peripheral rather than centrally located geometric self-similarity by comparing the mechanics of small and large oak trees. In the second addition of The Anatomy of Plants Nehemiah Grew (1682) sought advice from Robert Hooke the discoverer of Hookes law which is a principle of physics that states the F needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance X is proportional to that distance (F=kx). The engineer and
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philosopher Herbert Spencer (1800s) was one of the first to propose that internal mechanical stress itself created the formation of strong bonds in plant and cell , furthermore Robert Culman founder of graphical statics, first applied his mathematical methods to the study of plant stems (as well as bones). This study helped construct the Eiffel tower. Material/Methods The first general writings on biomechanics is originally from Aristotle (384 322 BCE) which is well before the publication in this journal. The morphodology and comparison of skeleton in animals with wood in trees more so clearly defined by Simon Schwendeners book the mechanical principles of the anatomy of moneotyedons. Bonnet (1794 Drew analogies between the epidermis of herbaceous plants and the exoskeletons of insects. Sachs wrote about the role of tugor which is tension in living cells; distension of the protoplasmic layer and wall of a plant cell by the fluid contents. (Wikipedia) Knight (1811) Studied the effects of mechanical perturbation on the morphology of trees. Discussions During the 18th Century biologist were fascinated with the ability of plants to respond to gravity, touch, or wind-induced mechanical stimulation for over a century whether the supporting structures of plants were comparable to animal skeletons; When Du Monceau (1785) argued for a functional analogy between wood and endoskeletons; Bonnet (1782) drew an analogy between the epidermis of herbaceous plants and the exoskeletons of insects. These functional analogies are taken and studied by Moulia (2006) who argued that mechanoperception and the motor functions of plants are functionally equivalent to the active postural and equilibrium of animals. Many Biologists believed as Moulia did, Integrative multidisciplinary approach will be required to construct models for plant growth and mechanical stability. There have been many studies on the dynamics of tree and how they function. One of the studies performed on the hydraulics and wood anatomy; which studies the size and range as a tree seedling to an old tree. The obvious
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result of this growth in size is a dramatic increase in the resistance of water flow through these pathways. In comparison of two sapwood trees of the same diameter; although one has a lower wood area resistivity than the other. Sperry (2006) suggests that the evolution of vessels in angiosperm wood may have required ancient angiosperm species to survive and pass through a phase of mechanic-hydraulic instability. Another study performed on tree biomechanics on the size, ecological importance and stability of each tree structure on the dynamic of wind-loading on how trees supported their own weight. This study was done through three interrelated articles devoting attention to both static, dynamic loadings, considering how experimental data, mechanistic models can be used to estimate the risk of tree failure to predict the effects of different management tactics of tree stability and stand productivity. Bruchert and Gardiner (2006) focus their attention on study focusing of wind-exposed sitka spruce stand of 60 trees exposed to four different average wind speeds. Their findings of the smaller trees are more tapered and flexible than the larger trees growing the middle of the area. They demonstrate that a combination of characteristics and stem mechanical properties influence the ability of a tree to cope with wind-induced, harmonic swaying. Stresses associated in environment studied by Telewski (2006) he understood, ethylene-deficient mutants respond morphogenetically when touch or caused to sway in the same manner as control plants. However textbooks say ethylene is produced when plant organs are mechanically disturbed. This topic is misunderstood in science today. Results Initiated by Galileo Galileo in 1638 is now a fully developed field promises to shed light on the scaling relationships between plant body size, host of physiological development ecological and evolutionary phenomena. A computer program is now capable of modeling complex dynamic processes, such as the effects of weather on trees stand and the seemingly chaotic sway of branches during violent storms.

There is sufficient data to construct mechanomorphaspaces in which mechanical performance is calculated and mapped onto a space representing all morphological possibilities. The interest and expertise by the authors suggest the excitement in future development will develop in ways that are impossible to foresee. Conclusion All of these studies have the ability to help in potential benefits in industry, commerce and medicine with terminology, mathematic rich, and rely heavily on quantitative approach. These articles are written in hopes to inspire next generation biologist to continue research on plant biomechanics.