Mitosis and growth in biological tissues.

Abstract

We present a simulation of the growth of a two-dimensional biological cellular system in which the cells experience mitosis whenever the area-to-perimeter ratio reaches a critical value. The model also includes the effect of interfacial energy and temperature. A stationary state with a constant average area is attained. We calculate the distribution of cells as a function of area, perimeter, and number of sides and also the two-cell correlation function. The results depend on temperature and are in agreement with experimental data, simulations, and theoretical models.