An introduction to the mechanics of morphogenesis for plant biologists

Abstract

Plants are under tremendous mechanical forces generated by turgor pressure. How do these forces mediate growth and development? In order to answer this question, it is necessary to understand the mechanics of growth and morphogenesis. In this 'mathless' tutorial, the concepts of strain, mechanical stress and buckling are reviewed and illustrated with recent work on leaf shape, on leaf vasculature, and on organogenesis at the shoot apical meristem.