The Structural and Mechanical Basis for Passive-Hydraulic Pine Cone Actuation.

ABSTRACT: The opening and closing of pine cones is based on the hygroscopic behavior of the individual seed scales around the cone axis, which bend passively in response to changes in environmental humidity. Although prior studies suggest a bilayer architecture consisting of lower actuating (swellable) sclereid and upper restrictive (non- or lesser swellable) sclerenchymatous fiber tissue layers to be the structural basis of this behavior, the exact mechanism of how humidity changes are translated into global movement are still unclear. Here, the mechanical and hydraulic properties of each structural component of the scale are investigated to get a holistic picture of their functional interplay. Measurements of the wetting behavior, water uptake, and mechanical measurements are used to analyze the i

SUBMITTER: Eger CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9284161 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature