A Physical Model to Identify the Common Organ Shape Across Species

Abstract

Organ shape is similar across species despite their size diversity. Here we review that the physical model of a mathematical formula representing the organ shape can identify a developmental mechanism ensuring the similarity. We recently found that the shape of plant root organ outlines can be commonly described as a catenary curve, a stable structure found in a free-hanging chain. The physical model of catenary curve predicts that the tissue growth rules force to form the catenary-curved root tip. The physical model-inspired research strategy provides new insights for the shared constraints on the shape similarity.