Figure 1.

Schematic representation of tensegrity construction in animals and plants. (A) In animals, the architecture results from the interplay between compressive microtubules and tensile actin filaments; this structure allows to both perceive mechanical signals and to maintain cell shape. (B) In plants turgor pressure exerted by the cytoplasma and vacuole (blue) pulls out against cellulose microfibrils, which are tensed; the rigid cell wall gives shape to cells and the cytoskeleton is released from the architectural function.