Final answer:
Biologic materials exhibit anisotropic properties, meaning their response to loading varies with the direction of the load, due to the directional arrangement of their molecules. Experiments have shown variable cellular alignment in response to static and oscillating mechanical stresses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The response of biological materials to loading varies with the direction of loading; biological materials are said to be anisotropic. This term refers to how biological materials, such as cells and tissues, respond differently to mechanical stresses when they come from different directions. This anisotropic property is due to the specific arrangement of molecules in the materials, yielding distinct properties concerning direction. For instance, in some experiments, cells have been shown to align parallel to the direction of a static or quasi-static stress field, while others demonstrate that cells adopt an orientation away from dynamically oscillating stress (nearly perpendicular). The process of cells actively reorienting in response to mechanical stress is part of what is referred to as mechanotransduction, highlighting the dynamic and active nature of cellular responses to physical forces.