Graduate School in Nonlinear Science

Sponsored by The Danish Research Agency

MIDIT                              OFD                          CATS
Modelling, Nonlinear Dynamics      Optics and Fluid Dynamics    Chaos and Turbulence Studies
and Irreversible Thermodynamics    Risø National Laboratory     Niels Bohr Institute and 
Technical University of Denmark    Building 128                 Department of Chemistry
Building 321                       P.O. Box 49                  University of Copenhagen 
DK-2800 Lyngby                     DK-4000 Roskilde             DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
Denmark                            Denmark                      Denmark

PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS ON THE DESIGN OF CIRCULATORY SYSTEMS

by Steven Vogel
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina, USA

Wednesday, October 31, 2001, 13.30 h
at Niels Bohr Institute, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Aud. A

Abstract: Even where independently evolved, the internal fluid transport systems of organisms share many basic features. One can argue that such things as the physical rules governing such things as diffusion and fluid flow along with the pressure-tension relationship for cylindrical pipes offer nature surprisingly little room for maneuver if such systems are to operate with reasonable efficiency. More generally, biologists haven't paid sufficient attention to the way physical reality constrains evolutionary diversification.