Isometric scaling is achieved by synchronization between element drifting patterns and growth balance.

<p>Graphs showing the physical positions of all elements residing between the growth plates and of the fixed plane in each bone as a function of total bone length. Stationary elements are highlighted with thick gray background and the physical position of the FP is marked by a blue line. On the right of each graph is a 3D representation of an adult bone with colored marks of element locations. As predicted by our model, elements located in high proximity to the FP remain stationary. Conversely, elements located distantly from the FP drift away from the FP, as the longer the distance, the farther the drift will be. Data for this figure are provided in <a href="http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002212#pbio.1002212.s004" target="_blank">S4 Data</a>.