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Phoebe Kinzz

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The possible CORAL-ation between this discovery and the brain

While watching this presentation; I was reminded of a particular coral called "Brain Coral". I was curious if there was a similar mathematical structure in brain tissue as with a crochet Brain Coral. If so, what possible information could be extracted from that, and could a brain-like structure be recreated?

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  • Terry Harman

    • +1
    Jun 12 2012: Will qualify my post here by stating that I am not very mathematically inclined at all! That being said I am aware that there is a similarity between the structure of a cauliflower and a brain and it is all to do with the most efficient way of building a supply network using tubes. I believe that a general mathematical principle has been derived from this called allometric scaling/allometric growth (?). I imagine, but am not entirely sure, that the similar structure in a brain coral would be something to do with the supply of nutrients through tubes.

    Hopefully this helps.
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    Debra Smith 200+

    • 0
    Jun 9 2012: i undersstand thinking this way because I have done it too. For me though, i noticed that tree branches diverge, run off water takes the shape of -dendrites in the brain. There is a common branching pattern in many natural phenonena. While mine turned out to have a valid explanation, I am happy that you are sich a keen observer. This quality enhances my life.
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