Amazing infrastructure of transport system of plant leaf. This road system is without bridges and underpasses. The entire network consists of two way traffic throughout.. There are no barriers and no collisions despite the fact that two way traffic continues side by side. Overtaking by crossing the lanes of opposite side is not allowed accounting for the lack of head on collisions. The direction of flow is more or less constant only the speed of flow varies depending upon several environmental conditions. Again depending upon the location of the leaf in relation to the point of attachment to stem and/or its branches the system consists of multiple lanes gradually decreasing in numbers as it reaches the delivery and pickup points. To the houses (cells) of leaves water and minerals absorbed by the root system (pickup points for these ingredients) are delivered and organic compounds (sugars, proteins, vitamins etc.,.) are picked up and transported out to the points of need and/or storage. In case of damage caused by outside forces (such as insect bites, wind, hail, to name a few) the traffic is diverted and maintained without apparent slow down. The damaged lanes are either closed or repaired depending upon extent of damage and also considering the cost benefit relationship. Can we really improve upon this? Something to ponder about.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 16:51:57 +0000
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