Page 30 - Design in Nature

28 DESIGN IN NATURE

Mechanics of Flight
The wings of flies are vibrated according to the electric signals
conducted by the nerves. For example, in a grasshopper each one of these
nerve signals results in one contraction of the muscle that in turn moves the
wing. Two opposing muscle groups, known as "lifters" and "sinkers", enable
the wings to move up and down by pulling in opposite directions.
Grasshoppers flap their wings twelve
A
Wings Wings to fifteen times a second but smaller
down down
insects need a higher rate in order to fly.
For instance, while honeybees, wasps and
flies flap their wings 200 to 400 times per
second this rate goes up to 1000 in
sandflies and some 1mm long parasites. 7
Another explicit evidence of perfect
creation is a 1mm long flying creature that
Wings Wings can flap its wings at the extraordinary rate
up up
of one thousand times a second without
Muscles relax Muscles relax burning, tearing or wearing out the insect.
from front lengthways
to back When we examine these flying
creatures a little closer, our appreciation
for their design multiplies.
It was mentioned that their wings are
Wings Wings
down down activated by means of electrical signals
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conducted through the nerves. However, a
nerve cell is only capable of transmitting a
Main maximum of 200 signals per second. Then,
muscles
Joint lift the how is it possible for the little flying
mechanisms wings
insects to achieve 1000 wing flaps per
second?
The flies that flap wings 200 times per
Main second have a nerve-muscle relationship
muscles
lower the that is different from that of grasshoppers.
wings
There is one signal conducted for each ten
The double balance wing wing flaps. In addition, the muscles
system is found to function in
insects with less frequent known as fibrous muscles work in a way
flapping.