Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

Biomechanics

Biomechanics of Tree and Vine Stems
By Steven K. Rice, Union College

Type of Resource Laboratory activity

Topic Structures

Taxa Plant

Organizational Level Organ

Estimated time to do activity 2-3 hours

Background required/level Undergraduate - all levels

Role of activity in your course I use this as an early laboratory in my "Plant Biology" course to reinforce the idea of physiological and evolutionary tradeoffs. I like it because it introduces analytical approaches that are novel to the students.

What students might learn from this course or activity 1. Students will understand the multifunctionality of plant organs and how organs have diversified within and are constrained by competing physiological demands.
2. Students will understand how what they experience intuitively as "stiffness" in bending is the result of the product of material properties and shape.
3. Students will gain experience with data collection and analysis.

Special tools, equipment or software needed Samples of stems from woody vines and tree saplings across a range of diameters. In our area, species of wild grape (Vitis sp.) and maples (especially red, Acer rubrum and sugar, A. saccharum) are abundant.
Spring scales differing in range (5-50 N maximum force).
Ring stands with supports.
Meter stick.
Single-edged razor
Microscope and supplies.
Computer with Microsoft EXCEL.

Safety precautions, possible permissions necessary Students need to be careful when using single-edged razors to make transverse sections of woody plant stems. It is often easiest if stem sections are halved or quartered prior to attempting sections.

Miscellaneous advice - pitfalls to avoid When measuring large stems, students may place several spring scales together (in parallel) and add the forces. In very large stems, I have often had students place the stem between lab benches and have a student sit on it to measure bending. Students will then have to convert their weight to force in N.

Frequently asked questions by students Not on record

Evaluation I have not formally evaluated this exercise, but have used it over three years. Students seem to enjoy performing a novel activity where they have no prior experience with the analytical technique.

Description Students investigate the relationship between stem diameter and material properties of self-supporting tree and vine stems to gain a better understanding of how the evolutionary process operates within the constraints of the physical world.

Associated Files

Type of Resource	Laboratory activity
Topic	Structures
Taxa	Plant
Organizational Level	Organ
Estimated time to do activity	2-3 hours
Background required/level	Undergraduate - all levels
Role of activity in your course	I use this as an early laboratory in my "Plant Biology" course to reinforce the idea of physiological and evolutionary tradeoffs. I like it because it introduces analytical approaches that are novel to the students.
What students might learn from this course or activity	1. Students will understand the multifunctionality of plant organs and how organs have diversified within and are constrained by competing physiological demands. 2. Students will understand how what they experience intuitively as "stiffness" in bending is the result of the product of material properties and shape. 3. Students will gain experience with data collection and analysis.
Special tools, equipment or software needed	Samples of stems from woody vines and tree saplings across a range of diameters. In our area, species of wild grape (Vitis sp.) and maples (especially red, Acer rubrum and sugar, A. saccharum) are abundant. Spring scales differing in range (5-50 N maximum force). Ring stands with supports. Meter stick. Single-edged razor Microscope and supplies. Computer with Microsoft EXCEL.
Safety precautions, possible permissions necessary	Students need to be careful when using single-edged razors to make transverse sections of woody plant stems. It is often easiest if stem sections are halved or quartered prior to attempting sections.
Miscellaneous advice - pitfalls to avoid	When measuring large stems, students may place several spring scales together (in parallel) and add the forces. In very large stems, I have often had students place the stem between lab benches and have a student sit on it to measure bending. Students will then have to convert their weight to force in N.
Frequently asked questions by students	Not on record
Evaluation	I have not formally evaluated this exercise, but have used it over three years. Students seem to enjoy performing a novel activity where they have no prior experience with the analytical technique.
Description	Students investigate the relationship between stem diameter and material properties of self-supporting tree and vine stems to gain a better understanding of how the evolutionary process operates within the constraints of the physical world.
Associated Files