Connections Competition
winner
The Tree and the Body
- Nikki, Upper VI
‘Feeling at one with nature’ is a sentiment that many of us are encouraged to feel when we are stressed or want to seek relief, but this common quote may hold more truth than we think.
Picture the lungs. The trunk: the trachea. The branches: the bronchioles. The millions of alveoli dividing again and again, reaching out to occupy the lungs as a tree’s leaves stretch out to grasp the sunlight. The harmonious rhythm embedded as you inhale and exhale, as the leaves inhale and exhale. The main blood vessels connecting the lungs to the heart: the pulmonary vein and artery, supplying a constant flow of blood, for it to be regenerated with oxygen. The similar roots of the tree, digging into the core of the soil, sucking up water and minerals which are transported through a complex yet glorious system of connections. The intricate, concentric rings of the tree trunks mimic the unique fingerprints of a person. The lines thicken, darkening through change, the grooves depending through age. The lungs of the earth, we call them.
A naked tree. Stripped of its leaves, standing bare, alone without the ability to respire. Its intertwined branches, complex like the neural network of the brain. The brain: composed of an elaborate network of neurons. When material is revisited frequently, the connections between these neurons strengthen, improving response. Prolonged use of the neurons develops into neural arborization; the genes for that particular neuron are expressed more, leading to more connections between neurons. When humans disregard the necessity of a topic, neural pruning occurs. Neurons which are no longer used are broken down, disrupting the synaptic connectivities, reducing transmission of electrical impulses. Thus, the functioning of necessary networks can be more efficient. The naked tree. In cooler months, the tree loses its leaves, disrupting connections with the surrounding world. There is no more requirement to keep the leaves if they rely on light to function. It carefully conserves the energy and nutrients it has accumulated, just in time for those connections to be built again. The brain and the tree both have the ability to revive their connections within reason - which parts are necessary and when?
From brains to lungs, there are many ways in which The Tree and The Body are intertwined. Our relation with nature allows us to find connections with science, deeping our knowledge about both areas. What other connections does the body hold with nature?
