The Plant Leaf: A Biomimetic Resource for Multifunctional and Economic Design
As organs of photosynthesis, leaves are of vital importance for plants and a source of inspiration for biomimetic developments. Leaves are composed of interconnected functional elements that evolved in concert under high selective pressure, directed toward strategies for improving productivity with...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Biomimetics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/8/2/145 |
| _version_ | 1797595979769184256 |
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| author | Anita Roth-Nebelsick Matthias Krause |
| author_facet | Anita Roth-Nebelsick Matthias Krause |
| author_sort | Anita Roth-Nebelsick |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As organs of photosynthesis, leaves are of vital importance for plants and a source of inspiration for biomimetic developments. Leaves are composed of interconnected functional elements that evolved in concert under high selective pressure, directed toward strategies for improving productivity with limited resources. In this paper, selected basic components of the leaf are described together with biomimetic examples derived from them. The epidermis (the “skin” of leaves) protects the leaf from uncontrolled desiccation and carries functional surface structures such as wax crystals and hairs. The epidermis is pierced by micropore apparatuses, stomata, which allow for regulated gas exchange. Photosynthesis takes place in the internal leaf tissue, while the venation system supplies the leaf with water and nutrients and exports the products of photosynthesis. Identifying the selective forces as well as functional limitations of the single components requires understanding the leaf as an integrated system that was shaped by evolution to maximize carbon gain from limited resource availability. These economic aspects of leaf function manifest themselves as trade-off solutions. Biomimetics is expected to benefit from a more holistic perspective on adaptive strategies and functional contexts of leaf structures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:44:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b200c8f159934ac8adcae65112886f55 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2313-7673 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:44:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomimetics |
| spelling | doaj.art-b200c8f159934ac8adcae65112886f552023-11-18T09:28:22ZengMDPI AGBiomimetics2313-76732023-04-018214510.3390/biomimetics8020145The Plant Leaf: A Biomimetic Resource for Multifunctional and Economic DesignAnita Roth-Nebelsick0Matthias Krause1State Museum of Natural History, Rosenstein 1, 70191 Stuttgart, GermanyState Museum of Natural History, Rosenstein 1, 70191 Stuttgart, GermanyAs organs of photosynthesis, leaves are of vital importance for plants and a source of inspiration for biomimetic developments. Leaves are composed of interconnected functional elements that evolved in concert under high selective pressure, directed toward strategies for improving productivity with limited resources. In this paper, selected basic components of the leaf are described together with biomimetic examples derived from them. The epidermis (the “skin” of leaves) protects the leaf from uncontrolled desiccation and carries functional surface structures such as wax crystals and hairs. The epidermis is pierced by micropore apparatuses, stomata, which allow for regulated gas exchange. Photosynthesis takes place in the internal leaf tissue, while the venation system supplies the leaf with water and nutrients and exports the products of photosynthesis. Identifying the selective forces as well as functional limitations of the single components requires understanding the leaf as an integrated system that was shaped by evolution to maximize carbon gain from limited resource availability. These economic aspects of leaf function manifest themselves as trade-off solutions. Biomimetics is expected to benefit from a more holistic perspective on adaptive strategies and functional contexts of leaf structures.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/8/2/145leavesleaf functionvenationstomatagas exchangeleaf economics |
| spellingShingle | Anita Roth-Nebelsick Matthias Krause The Plant Leaf: A Biomimetic Resource for Multifunctional and Economic Design Biomimetics leaves leaf function venation stomata gas exchange leaf economics |
| title | The Plant Leaf: A Biomimetic Resource for Multifunctional and Economic Design |
| title_full | The Plant Leaf: A Biomimetic Resource for Multifunctional and Economic Design |
| title_fullStr | The Plant Leaf: A Biomimetic Resource for Multifunctional and Economic Design |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Plant Leaf: A Biomimetic Resource for Multifunctional and Economic Design |
| title_short | The Plant Leaf: A Biomimetic Resource for Multifunctional and Economic Design |
| title_sort | plant leaf a biomimetic resource for multifunctional and economic design |
| topic | leaves leaf function venation stomata gas exchange leaf economics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/8/2/145 |
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