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.

Bottlenose dolphins develop lifelong friendships early on that will benefit them through shared information, cooperation, and other means.

Dolphins send out broadband whistles and bursts of clicks to prevent messages from being distorted underwater.

New generations of bottlenose dolphins adapt to changing situations by learning from peers and not just mothers.

Humpback whales control movement of prey by blowing spiraling nets of bubbles underwater.

The skin of pilot whales resists microorganisms thanks to microscopic pores and nanoridges, surrounded by a secreted enzymatic gel which denatures proteins and carbohydrates.

The tail fluke of the humpback whale breaks through the water as the tail is moved up and down, enabling powerful swimming.

Baleen whales use fringed sheets of keratin to strain food from water before they swallow.

The blood vessel network in the tongues of gray whales precools blood to avoid heat loss via counter-current heat exchange.

The body of the dolphin has low friction in water by having an optimal length to diameter ratio.

Veins and arteries of Cuvier's beaked whales manage heat through different configurations of counter-current heat exchangers.

The blubber of the bottlenose dolphin absorbs heat by acting as a phase change material

The flippers of the humpback whale channel flow and increase aerodynamic efficiency due to tubercles or bumps.

Baleen in throat of bowhead whale traps prey by tangling fringed edges together.

Chirps of dolphins carry through water because they are multi-rate, ultra-short wave forms.

The members of spinner dolphin pods stun and capture fish by emitting ultrasonic beams.

Whales navigate with incredible accuracy underwater using Earth's magnetic fields.

High resolution biosonar of dolphins, bats and mole rats gives an accurate imaging by using real-time data processing.

Lungs of whales efficiently expel air via powerful exhalations.

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

The seeds of yew trees are protected from being eaten by large animals because they contain poisonous compounds called taxanes.

The cuticular wax of the dwarf mountain pine enhances photosynthesis by using fluorophores that convert UV light into blue light that can be used for photosynthesis, even under low-light conditions.

The leading edge of the tornado-like spinning maple seed provides a constant lift force, allowing seeds to disperse over a greater area.

Trees in cloud forests cope with the dry season by absorbing water from clouds directly through their leaves.

Nepenthes pitcher plants and treeshrews maintain a mutually beneficial relationship by exchanging nutrients.

Cellulose fibers in plant stems increase toughness by winding around tubes at an angle

Trunks and branches of trees withstand external stresses through load-adaptive growth.

Roots of longleaf pine protect from strong winds by forming both large anchoring taproots and a widespread lateral root system.

The mud nest of the apostlebird is a sturdy home high in the trees, built using a jiggled-mud construction technique.

The cooling effects of shade trees in subtropical regions are most influenced by foliage density and leaf thickness, leaf texture, and leaf color lightness.

The trunks of pine trees withstands wind and snow via spiral growth.

Air-filled sacs in the pollen grains of pine trees allow pollen to travel farther through the air

Deciduous trees allow more water to reach the soil and seep into streams by seasonally shedding leaves that lose water via evaporation.

Resin produced by conifer trees protects from mechanical or insect damage because it flows, then hardens to seal the wound site.

Tall, wide trees in the forests of the Pacific Northwest serve as nurse logs to their seedlings after they fall, providing decades of water and nutrients as they slowly decay.

Bark of trees keeps surface cool by minimizing absorption of solar light and maximizing thermal emission

The structure of the cells in xylem passively moves water from roots to leaves through a system of chambers and valves, and filters out pathogens.

Trees along rivers help retain carbon in an ecosystem by adding organic debris and slowing down water.

Sharp claws on squirrel feet increase vertical agility by giving strategic points of attachment while other body structures shift direction.

Bristlecone pines can survive for thousands of years in harsh environments by shutting down non-essential processes.

Flowering of grass trees following a fire may be triggered by a huge release of ethylene gas as the trees burn.

Roots of broad-based trees with stiff trunks resist uprooting through compressive buttressing.

Genes of giraffes maintain cardiac health despite high blood pressure by keeping thickened heart muscles supple.

A complex arrangement of materials in the weevils' slender snouts make them strong and flexible.

Bird bones aid in attaining flight because they are thin and dense, not because they are lightweight.

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

The hard outer coverings of some sea urchins, called tests, allow local deformation that may resist impact loading by incorporating collagen-swathed sutures.

The cells of lesser clubmoss plants prevent deformation during repeated dehydration via small vacuoles filled with mechanical mixtures called colloids.

Scales of the Kenyan sand boa minimize abrasive damage by exhibiting a gradient in hardness and elasticity.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.