XVI International Botanical Congess

We present a physical model of tip growth that includes important components of the growth process such as tip geometry, turgor pressure, and wall viscoelastic properties. The model is based on the theory of thin elastic shells subjected to internal pressure load. This theory is compatible with the current idea that tip growth results from a precise balance between the yielding of the cell wall to turgor pressure and the arrival of new wall material at the cell tip. Results from the model are compared to data obtained from growing root hairs.