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Biological scaling and physics

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Abstract

Kleiber’s law in biology states that the specific metabolic rate (metabolic rate per unit mass) scales as M-1/2 in terms of the massM of the organism. A long-standing puzzle is the (-1/4) power in place of the usual expectation of (-1/3) based on the surface to volume ratio in three-dimensions. While recent papers by physicists have focused exclusively on geometry in attempting to explain the puzzle, we consider here a specific law of physics that governs fluid flow to show how the (-1/4) power arises under certain conditions. More generally, such a line of approach that identifies a specific physical law as involved and then examines the implications of a power law may illuminate better the role of physics in biology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, 70803, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    A. R. P. Rau

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  1. A. R. P. Rau
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Rau, A.R.P. Biological scaling and physics. J. Biosci. 27, 475–478 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02705043

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02705043

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