The influence of geometry on the elastic properties of the Drosophila wing disc

We consider the non-linear elastic behavior of the wing disc of the Drosophila larva. In stretching experiments, this epithelial tissue shows a highly non-linear force-displacement behavior. In order to understand the nature and origin of this non-linear reaction, we try to reproduce the deformation experiments using a two-dimensional finite element solution of the non-linear hyperelastic momentum balance equation. The results suggest that to a large extent the stress reaction of the tissue is due to purely geometric effects. Finally, we give a parameter estimate for a neo-Hookean constitutive model.