What Is Allometric Scaling?
Allometry describes the study of the relationship between size and weight; allometric scaling specifically examines relationships between size and weight that deviate from an isometric scale, which demands that size and weight change at the same rate.
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Example of an Allometric Relationship
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The mammalian skeleton mass to body mass ratio provides one of the most commonly referenced examples of allometric scaling. In observing increasingly large mammals, mammalian skeletons become thicker, heavier and stronger more quickly in comparison to body mass.
Other Allometric Ratios
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Some other allometric ratios include the relationships between weight and heart rate, blood circulation time, respiratory rate, metabolic rate or glucose usage. Allometric ratios deviate from isometric predictions due to biological factors like diffusion (a volume-dependent phenomenon).
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Allometric Laws
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Many allometric laws are based on power-functions. The following examples of allometric laws can be used to predict expected numerical quantities of certain organismal attributes:
The weight of mammalian brains (excluding primates) approximates 0.01 multiplied by body mass raised to the 0.70 power.
Respiratory rate approximates body mass raised to the 1/4 power.
Kleiber's Law, where metabolic rate approximates body mass raised to the 3/4 power.
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