Site Model of Allometric Scaling and Fractal Distribution Networks of Organs

Abstract

At the basic geometric level, the distribution networks carrying vital materials in living organisms, and the units such as the nephrons and alveoli, form a scaling structure named here the site model. This unified view of the allometry of the kidney and lung of mammals is in agreement with the existing data, and in some cases, improves the predictions of the previous fractal model of the lung. Allometric scaling of surfaces and volumes of relevant organ parts are derived from a few simple propositions about the collective characteristics of the sites. New hypotheses and predictions are formulated, some verified by the data, while others remain to be tested, such as the scaling of the number of capillaries and the site model description of other organs.