Rolling and Wheels in the Natural World
Living organisms utilize rotation for movement, but wheels have not evolved due to genetic and structural constraints. Examples like pangolins and dung beetles demonstrate alternative rotation mechanisms in nature.
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The article discusses the concept of rolling and wheels in the natural world, focusing on how living things utilize rotation for movement. While wheels are a useful technology for humans, they have not evolved in nature due to various barriers. Evolutionary limits and the slow process of genetic changes restrict the development of complex structures like wheels in multicellular organisms. The article explains that wheels require freedom of rotation, which is challenging to achieve in biological systems where parts are interconnected. Additionally, powering wheels in organisms poses difficulties as torque generation in animals differs from mechanical motors. The text highlights examples of rolling in living organisms, such as pangolins and dung beetles, and explains how some organisms use rotation-like mechanisms for movement, like the bacterial flagellum. Overall, the article explores the reasons why wheels have not evolved in nature despite their efficiency, emphasizing the constraints imposed by biological structures and evolutionary processes.
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