I've been pondering this one for awhile now, and i've researched a ton and no website can give be a solid explaination. Anyone wanna try?
2007-05-22 10:39:15 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Dorothy Stasiewicz has a good paper on this posted on the University of New Mexico site. If you don't wish to read the entire link, then here is the part you were concerned with...
"Fibonacci numbers are found in branching plants as they grow. There is one stem which branches into two. Then one of the new stems branches into two while the other one waits. This pattern of one branching while the other waits is repeated for each of the new stems. An example would be the sneezewort although some trees, root systems and algae exhibit this type of branching pattern.
The branches of a tree may spiral upward in a Fibonacci ratio. Find a starting point at the bottom of the tree and count how many branches and how many turns are needed to get to a branch that is directly above your starting point. The ratio will be spirals/branches.
They are found on flowers in the number of petals. Some examples are lilies, irises, buttercups, delphiniums, corn marigolds, asters, and daisies. They are also found in the seed heads of flowers. The number of spirals coming from the center both left and right are Fibonacci numbers. They can be seen in a sunflower or a daisy.
Pine cones are another example wherein Fibonacci numbers show up. Soak pine cones in water so that they close up and it will be easier to count the spirals. Count the number of spirals seen in both directions starting from the base of the pine cone. You can do this with artichokes and pineapples as well.
Fibonacci numbers can be found in animals in a few ways. First there are the pentagonal shapes (five is a Fibonacci number) found in some animals. Examples would be starfish, sand dollars and sea urchins."
Hope this helps.
2007-05-22 11:04:09 · answer #1 · answered by pitti-sing 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pine cone sheaths (which cover the seeds) show the fibonacci sequence. There is an explanation and picture at the site below.
2007-05-22 17:50:40 · answer #2 · answered by kt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're pine CONES, not combs
2007-05-22 17:44:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
umm... i have no idea, i dont even know wut fibonacci means!
2007-05-22 18:39:23 · answer #4 · answered by iRock<33 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋