Biology Of B-movie Monsters

[Dubh Aingeal]

The Biology of B-Movies Monsters is a published paper about the reality of movie-monster anatomy in 2003. In the paper, Michael C. LaBarbera explores the implications of extremely large and extremely small fantasy creatures, whose mass, volume and surface-area scale at different rates as they are shrunk/enlarged (e.g., ants can carry many times their body-weight, but if they were the size of tigers, they'd be crushed under their own carapaces). Other issues covered include the respiratory difficulties of Mothra, the biomechanics of Jurassic Park dinosaurs, and the reason E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial is so effing cute.

[TearSandrille]

I liked this article alot. And, having a degree in Biology it just made my geek worthy day.

[BrassFusion]

I never understood the whole "ants of increased size wouldn't be able to support their own weight."

If their whole body is scaled up, including their muscles (muscles?), joints, (joints?) and shit like that, i don't get why they wouldn't be able to support the larger structure.

[phee]

I never understood the whole "ants of increased size wouldn't be able to support their own weight."

If their whole body is scaled up, including their muscles (muscles?), joints, (joints?) and shit like that, i don't get why they wouldn't be able to support the larger structure.

The physics and raw material with the increase of mass... this would cause the actual raw material to crack due to simple gravity