Allometric scaling in animals and plants.
In this paper we give a derivation for the allometric scaling relation between the metabolic rate and the mass of animals and plants. We show that the characteristic scaling exponent of 3/4 occurring in this relation is a result of the distribution of sources and sinks within the living organism. We further introduce a principle of least mass and discuss the kind of flows that arise from it.
Dreyer
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O
Center for Gravitational Physics and Geometry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802-6300, USA. dreyer@phys.psu.edu
Puzio
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R
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000378:metabolism; D008116:Lizards / Q000378:metabolism; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D008660:Metabolism; D051379:Mice / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism