Dendritic flow networks: the link between patterns and design with purpose in biosystems

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive methodology, based on physics laws, for predicting the architecture of symmetric and asymmetric dendritic flow networks. These flow networks, found in vascular systems and respiratory trees, exhibit prefractal patterns that can be described by using recursive processes based on the concept of self-similarity, and the definition of a dimension that represents the degree of the system occupancy in space. Prefractal dendritic networks are thought that ensure the best possible access to flow transport.