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Mollusk Shell Formation: A Source of New Concepts for Understanding Biomineralization Processes
Author(s) -
Addadi Lia,
Joester Derk,
Nudelman Fabio,
Weiner Steve
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.200500980
Subject(s) - biomineralization , shell (structure) , amorphous silica , amorphous solid , phase (matter) , layer (electronics) , amorphous calcium carbonate , nanotechnology , chemistry , materials science , chemical engineering , crystallography , engineering , organic chemistry , composite material
The biological approach to forming crystals is proving to be most surprising. Mollusks build their shells by using a hydrophobic silk gel, very acidic aspartic acid rich proteins, and apparently also an amorphous precursor phase from which the crystals form. All this takes place in a highly structured chitinous framework. Here we present ideas on how these disparate components work together to produce the highly structured pearly nacreous layer of the mollusk shell.