Construction principles and control over transport systems organization in biological tissues

Abstract

The main common principles of the long-range transport systems construction in animal and plant tissues are summarized. The results of measurement of conducting system geometry in Cotinus obovatus leaf are analyzed. It is shown that the principles of design of the conducting systems in animals and higher plants are the same and correspond to the model of optimal pipeline. The mathematical model of fluid motion in the conducting system of the leaf as a mo tion in a branching pipeline with permeable walls is investigated. The cost of a bifurcation of the vessels is analyzed. The hypothesis of the control principle of optimal transport system formation in the growing leaf is discussed. As an example the self-similar conducting system with loops is investigated and compared with some venation systems in plant leaves.