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Biomimicry
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators
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deleted-304277
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Biomimicry
What is the purpose of the spiral pattern of flower petals? I know it permits optimum exposure to light, but I'm looking at how the spiral optimizes the natural flow of water or air. (How it inspired PAX technologies water mixer)
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SciB
- Expert
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- Occupation: Retired molecular biologist, university researcher and teacher
- Project Question: I wish to join Scibuddies to be able to help students achieve the best science project possible and to understand the science behind it.
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Re: Biomimicry
In general, flower petals do not photosynthesize so there would be no light advantage to the plant to have petals or florets arranged in spirals. I did a search for 'why do flower petals grow in spirals' and found this site that says that sunflowers grow this way to maximize the number of seeds that can be packed into the flower head: http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/emat6680/par ... nature.htm
The purpose of many flowers is to attract insects to pollinate them, but I don't see how a spiral arrangement of ray flowers would promote this.
I found another article from Science News that claims plants have spiral arrangements because of the way their cells divide and move during development--so it is a result of biochemistry rather than evolution and natural selection: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mat ... ves-plants
The geometry of plant parts is a very interesting subject, I think, because it combines mathematics and biology, but I don't know how you can make a project out of it. You suggested affects on air or water movement because of the spiral. You could set up a video camera next to a plant with spirally arranged flower petals and use a garden hose to give it a shower. If you examine it in slow motion maybe you can see some effect of the spiral on the way the water moves over the plant. Likewise, you could blow air on the plant using a big fan and see if the flowers moved in a certain way.
Hopefully some other experts can come up with some ideas for your project.
Good luck!
Sybee
The purpose of many flowers is to attract insects to pollinate them, but I don't see how a spiral arrangement of ray flowers would promote this.
I found another article from Science News that claims plants have spiral arrangements because of the way their cells divide and move during development--so it is a result of biochemistry rather than evolution and natural selection: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mat ... ves-plants
The geometry of plant parts is a very interesting subject, I think, because it combines mathematics and biology, but I don't know how you can make a project out of it. You suggested affects on air or water movement because of the spiral. You could set up a video camera next to a plant with spirally arranged flower petals and use a garden hose to give it a shower. If you examine it in slow motion maybe you can see some effect of the spiral on the way the water moves over the plant. Likewise, you could blow air on the plant using a big fan and see if the flowers moved in a certain way.
Hopefully some other experts can come up with some ideas for your project.
Good luck!
Sybee
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deleted-71603
- Former Expert
- Posts: 533
- Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 7:59 pm
Re: Biomimicry
Hello. You have stumbled upon the fascinating topic of the Fibonacci Sequence. This beautiful phenomenon is found several places in nature, including the arrangement of flower petals and the Nautilus shell. I am not an expert in PAX technologies, but a quick Google search seems to show they use this mathematical sequence in their technology. I recommend reading further on Fibonacci Sequence and then reading further on how this phenomenon is used in the PAX technologies. A quick Google search showed plenty of resources for both topics.
After researching further, be sure to write back if you have more questions.
Good luck!
After researching further, be sure to write back if you have more questions.
Good luck!
Deana