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Mechanics of pollen desiccation and swelling The response of pollen grains to changes in environmental humidity is determined by their structure, which is characterized by soft areas (apertures) in an otherwise rigid shell. Changes in humidity can lead to desiccation of the grain and its wrapping or collapse, but also to excessive swelling and even cracking. An elastic grain model has been formulated and used to investigate the mechanics of wrapping and swelling of pollen grains and the role that apertures play in this process. Depending on the design of the apertures, desiccation can lead to their regular closure and cessation of further moisture loss, which preserves the fertilization potential of the pollen grain. However, for this process to truly wrap the grain regularly, it is necessary that the elasticity and geometry of the grain meet certain conditions. Therefore, the evolutionary trajectory of plant species is also determined by the mechanical constraints that pollen must meet. On the other hand, the inflow of water into the grain leads to its swelling and possible cracking, and the process also depends on the properties of the pollen apertures. Since apertures also characterize allergenic pollen carried by the wind, the cracking of such pollen is also important in the context of human health.