![]() Very often we consider a face beautiful when the features are symmetrically arranged. Human beings, insects, and mammals all show bilateral symmetry. Lastly, plane or bilateral symmetry (also reflective symmetry) means that a body can be divided by a central (sagittal) plane into two equal halves that form mirror images of each other. Starfish, sea anemones, jellyfish, and some flowers have radial symmetry. Radial symmetry (a kind of rotational symmetry) means that a cone or disk shape is symmetrical around a central axis. Animals with this layout are all very small. Some floating animals with radiating parts, and some microscopic protozoa fit into this category. Point symmetry (a kind of reflective symmetry) means that any straight cut through the center point divides the organism into mirroring halves. In biology, there are three classifications of symmetry found in living organisms. Rotational symmetry means that the object or image can be turned around a center point and match itself some number of times (as in a five-pointed star). Reflective, or line, symmetry means that one half of an image is the mirror image of the other half (think of a butterfly's wings). The two main types of symmetry are reflective and rotational. That's because symmetry, whether in biology, architecture, art, or geometry reflects all of those definitions. Symmetry is variously defined as "proportion," "perfect, or harmonious proportions," and "a structure that allows an object to be divided into parts of an equal shape and size." When you think of symmetry, you probably think of some combination of all these definitions. Lizard tiles by Ben Lawson.Symmetry surrounds you. Hexagonal and rhombic tessellations from Wikimedia Commons. ![]() Triangular tessellation from pixababy. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |