FRACTAL GEOMETRY - A DESIGN PRINCIPLE FOR LIVING ORGANISMS

被引:209
作者
WEIBEL, ER
机构
来源
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY | 1991年 / 261卷 / 06期
关键词
FRACTALS; ALVEOLAR SURFACE; CELL MEMBRANES; MORPHOMETRY; AIRWAY TREE; VASCULAR TREE; GAS EXCHANGE; HEART; CHAOS; MORPHOGENESIS; GENETIC CONTROL;
D O I
10.1152/ajplung.1991.261.6.L361
中图分类号
Q4 [生理学];
学科分类号
071003 ;
摘要
Fractal geometry allows structures to be quantitatively characterized in geometric terms even if their form is not even or regular, because fractal geometry deals with the geometry of hierarchies and random processes. The hypothesis is explored that fractal geometry serves as a design principle in biological organisms. The internal membrane surface of cells, or the inner lung surface, are difficult to describe in terms of classical geometry, but they are found to show properties describable by fractal geometry, at least sectionwise and within certain bounds set by deterministic design properties. Concepts of fractal geometry are most useful in characterizing the structure of branching trees, such as those found in pulmonary airways and in blood vessels. This explains how the large internal gas exchange surface of the lung can be homogeneously and efficiently ventilated and perfused at low energetic cost. It is concluded that to consider fractal geometry as a biological design principle is heuristically most productive and provides insights into possibilities of efficient genetic programming of biological form.
引用
收藏
页码:L361 / L369
页数:9
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