Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Morphogenesis02:19

Morphogenesis

28.9K
Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant.
28.9K
Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation01:31

Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation

2.8K
Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
2.8K
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.8K
The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this...
2.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cell growth rates coordinate across the width of the leaf to remain flat.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Regulation of plant growth by polysaccharide synthesis and incorporation into the cell wall.

Journal of experimental botany·2025
Same author

Passive control of wing-tip vortices through a grooved-tip design.

Experiments in fluids·2025
Same author

The Arabidopsis PM19L1 Protein Functions as a Regulator of Germination Under Osmotic Stress.

Plant direct·2025
Same author

A 3D morpho-space of sepal geometry reveals the importance of organ curvature.

Quantitative plant biology·2025
Same author

Mechanics of pressurized cellular sheets.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles
12:33

Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles

Published on: February 4, 2013

21.8K

Dandelion pappus morphing is actuated by radially patterned material swelling.

Madeleine Seale1,2,3, Annamaria Kiss4, Simone Bovio4

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK.

Nature Communications
|May 6, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Dandelion seed dispersal relies on a hairy structure called the pappus, which closes in response to moisture changes. This study reveals the cellular mechanism behind this movement, offering insights for biomimetic designs.

More Related Videos

2.5D Model for Ex Vivo Mechanical Characterization of Sprouting Angiogenesis in Living Tissue
10:00

2.5D Model for Ex Vivo Mechanical Characterization of Sprouting Angiogenesis in Living Tissue

Published on: February 28, 2025

486
Micro 3D Printing Using a Digital Projector and its Application in the Study of Soft Materials Mechanics
09:24

Micro 3D Printing Using a Digital Projector and its Application in the Study of Soft Materials Mechanics

Published on: November 27, 2012

25.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles
12:33

Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles

Published on: February 4, 2013

21.8K
2.5D Model for Ex Vivo Mechanical Characterization of Sprouting Angiogenesis in Living Tissue
10:00

2.5D Model for Ex Vivo Mechanical Characterization of Sprouting Angiogenesis in Living Tissue

Published on: February 28, 2025

486
Micro 3D Printing Using a Digital Projector and its Application in the Study of Soft Materials Mechanics
09:24

Micro 3D Printing Using a Digital Projector and its Application in the Study of Soft Materials Mechanics

Published on: November 27, 2012

25.5K

Area of Science:

  • Plant Biology
  • Biomimetics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Plants utilize water absorption and release for movement, a phenomenon observed in Asteraceae family plants like dandelions.
  • The dandelion's hairy pappus exhibits moisture-dependent closure, influencing seed dispersal strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the structure-function relationship of the hygroscopic actuator in the dandelion pappus.
  • To identify the precise mechanism governing the closure of the dandelion pappus.
  • To explore critical design features of this natural actuator through computational modeling.

Main Methods:

  • Investigation of the structure and properties of actuator cell walls.
  • Development of a structural computational model to simulate pappus closing.
  • Analysis of the radial arrangement of vascular bundles and surrounding tissues.

Main Results:

  • The dandelion pappus actuator functions via heterogeneous swelling in a radially symmetric manner.
  • A central cavity surrounded by vascular bundles and tissues coordinates hair movement.
  • The actuator's radial, derivative bilayer structure synchronizes planar or lateral attachments.

Conclusions:

  • The dandelion pappus employs a simple, material-based mechanism for moisture-driven motion.
  • This hygroscopic actuator demonstrates significant potential for biomimetic applications in robotics and functional materials.