AskNature

Hydrostatic structures found in sunflowers and many other organisms serve various functions but almost always use helical fibers as reinforcement.

The skin of the marble berry has a bright blue pointillist appearance due to distinct reflection of color on layers of cellulose microfibrils.

Proteins flip over to reverse the spin direction of a tiny motor that drives movement.

Cells naturally produce complex chemicals using enzymes without the high temperatures and pressures used in human industry.

Plant tissues resist pulling forces using layers of tiny cellulose fibers embedded in a mix of flexible and strong materials.

The trunk of the giant groundsel recycles nutrients from dead attached leaves by sprouting rootlets to extract remaining nutrients.

Vibrio harveyi bacteria protect themselves from the damaging effects of UV radiation by channeling the UV energy to bioluminescent proteins.

Feather filaments of birds connect with interlocking hooks, forming a seamless and resilient structure that maintains aerodynamic efficiency and insulation, showcasing nature's engineering prowess and inspiring human innovations in textiles, aerospace, and everyday materials.

The iridescent glow of hummingbird feathers arises from the interference of light, facilitated by the intricate and inhomogeneous structure of elliptical platelets embedded within the feather barbules, which manipulate light through their unique microstructural properties

Micro-bubbles released from the Emperor penguin’s feathers act as a natural turbo boost, creating a lubrication layer around its body that reduces drag and enhances the bird's aquatic speed, propelling it from water to ice with graceful efficiency.

Coral colonies shift energy from spawning to budding to rapidly repair or rejoin broken elements.

Cuttlefish control their buoyancy by changing the mix of liquid and gas within their multi-layered cuttlebone.

Wings of dragonflies offer highly efficient flight and lightweight characteristics due to a series of adaptive materials that form a very complex composite structure.

Parasitic fungus secretes behavior-modifying chemicals into cicadas that dramatically changes their sex drive.

The nests of mallee fowl provide warmth for eggs by use of rotting vegetation and an insulating layer of soil.

Glue droplets on orb-weaver spider webs resist slippage through adhesion, elongation under load, and force transfer due to granules.

The saucer-like top of a bird's nest fungus launches spore capsules by deflecting heavy raindrops that dislodge the capsules and disperse them.

Various structures build or concentrate charge to efficiently move pollen from flowers to bees (and back).

Spotted salamanders exchange nutrients with internal algae to grow faster.

Bones maintain skeletal homeostasis by balancing the activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

Swarming locusts eat toxic plants and change color as a warning to predators.

Wings of beetles fold multiple times without wear or fatigue by having resilin in key joints.

Platypus bills integrate signals from two different sensory systems to better identify and track prey.

The limpet's radular teeth contain iron and silicon, forming a composite structure that enhances mechanical strength and efficiency in scraping algae from rocks.

Parasitic fungus secretes behavior-modifying chemicals into cicadas that dramatically changes their sex drive.

Bacteria and yeast form a community to ensure their mutual survival and produce fermented tea.

Fungi create a strong but lightweight material by producing a random network of tiny threads.

Chemicals in fungi break down contaminants.

Bacteria and fungi break down soft plant tissue and leave the tough stuff intact.

Mycorrhizal network sustains diversity in a forest by transporting nutrients and water.

The sporangium at the tip of the hypha of the Pilobolus fungus launches spores using a hydraulic system.

Ballistospores of fungi are catapulted away by coalescence of water droplets.

Rhodoturula yeasts are protected from UV radiation via the UV-absorbing compound mycosporine-glutaminol-glucoside.

Hydrophobin proteins from fungi reduce surface tension to enable growth by having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts.

Extracellular enzymes and mycelial growth in Pleurotus ostreatus fungi remove fluoranthene from their environment through biodegradation.

Bracket fungi and mature trees gain nutrients for both and structural stability for the trees thanks to their mutualistic relationship.

Forests and other ecosystems can return to their predisturbance composition and struture through the presence of biological legacies, mobile links, and support areas.

A diverse community of organisms interacts to break down and recycle chemicals to maintain soil fertility.

Lichens can tolerate extreme heat and desiccation in part due to conformational modifications in a protein-pigment complex.

Lichens capture water via ice nucleation, absorbing the moisture once the temperature rises and the ice melts.

Microcolonial fungi are protected from UV light and desiccation via mycosporines.

The hyphae of rock inhabiting fungi are strengthened and better able to grow in crevices due to melanin pigments.

The double-layered ball of an earth-star fungus launches spores by splitting its outer skin, turning it inside out, and using it to push the second sphere and its contents up and out.

The fungal skin of lichens prevents water loss to the algae below via its dense compacted thread structure.

Tyrosinase enzymes serve a wide variety of crosslinking functions in organisms by catalyzing the oxidation of phenols and converting them into reactive quinones.

Enzymes produced by the fungus Gliocladium roseum mediate the break down of a common industrial compound by initiating the biodegredation process.

A transport protein in Aspergillus nidulans maintains the right concentration of nitrogen compounds within cells by actively responding to the presence of nutrient sources.

Eurotium herbariorum can survive at low temperatures by producing water-soluble molecules that act as lubricants to ensure proper function of biological compounds.

Micro-and nano-structures on snake scale create ultra-blackness by reducing light reflection.

Tiny microstructures create color through light scattering, instead of with traditional pigments.

Wings of morpho butterflies create color by causing light waves to diffract and interfere.

Pigments and nanoscale structures collaborate to help chameleon change its look.

Feathers of the common kingfisher create colorful feathers due to pigment granules, spongy nanostructures, and thin films.

Feathers of eastern bluebirds produce vivid non-iridescent colors using self-assembled, quasi-ordered nanostructures.

The bodies of damselflies have brilliant metallic colors derived from structural arrangement of pigment granules.

Randomly arranged filaments scatter all wavelengths of light, and their optimized spacing maximizes the effect.

The skin of the marble berry has a bright blue pointillist appearance due to distinct reflection of color on layers of cellulose microfibrils.

The wings of the cabbage butterfly are white due to longitudinal ridges and cross-ribs studded with ovoid beads.

Beta-keratin nanofibers on feather tips of blue penguin produce non-iridescent color by coherent scattering of light.

Wings of African swallowtail butterflies have brilliant colors thanks to a combination of nanoscale structures and pigments.

Scales on the ventral side of swordtail butterfly wings enhance blue/green coloring via light reflection and diffusion.

The iridescent glow of hummingbird feathers arises from the interference of light, facilitated by the intricate and inhomogeneous structure of elliptical platelets embedded within the feather barbules, which manipulate light through their unique microstructural properties

Hairs of weevils produce metallic blue and green coloring by having fine, scaly structure.

Pigments in the oriental hornet’s cuticle absorb solar energy that is turned into electrical energy.

Electric organs of certain fish generate electricity using additive energy from stacked cells to generate a current.

Catalysts in the chloroplasts of photosynthesizing plants help split water by binding water molecules and separating protons and electrons.

The pectoral fin of rays can kill prey by generating a jolt of 200 volts from electric organs composed of parallel stacked columns of electroplaques.

The hairs in mammalian ears convert motion into electrical energy and back in order to amplify sound via the prestin protein.

A slight rise in humidity triggers pine cones to curl up their scales to prevent ineffective seed dispersal in wet weather.

The large ears of the jackrabbit are used in cooling, radiating heat via an extensive network of blood vessels.

Bees and wasps build space-efficient and strong nests using hexagonal cells.

Leaves of the sensitive plant protect themselves from predators and environmental conditions by folding in response to touch.

Parasitic fungus secretes behavior-modifying chemicals into cicadas that dramatically changes their sex drive.

By absorbing the sun’s blue and red light, chlorophyll loses electrons, which become mobile forms of chemical energy that power plant growth.

The respiratory system of birds facilitates efficient exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen by using air sacs to maintain a continuous unidirectional airflow through the lungs.

Camel fur and sweat glands combine to form a powerful temperature management system.

Wetland plants, bacteria, and the physical environment work together to remove particles and pollutants  

Wings of penguins reduce heat loss by forming a countercurrent heat exchanger via the vascular design.

Tree canopies avoid wind damage by changing shape to become more aerodynamic.

Volatile compounds found in oregano destroy fungi by breaking down their cell membranes.

Oysters build strong but flexible reefs using minerals in a sticky protein web.

Micro-bubbles released from the Emperor penguin’s feathers act as a natural turbo boost, creating a lubrication layer around its body that reduces drag and enhances the bird's aquatic speed, propelling it from water to ice with graceful efficiency.