Design strategies of sea urchin teeth: structure, composition and micromechanical relations to function

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
R Z WangS Weiner

Abstract

The teeth of sea urchins comprise a variety of different structural entities, all of which are composed of magnesium-bearing calcite together with a small amount of organic material. The teeth are worn down continuously, but in such a way that they remain sharp and functional. Here we describe aspects of the structural, compositional and micromechanical properties of the teeth of Paracentrotus lividus using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectrometry, atomic absorption. X-ray diffraction and microindentation. The S-shaped single crystalline calcitic fibres are one of the main structural elements of the tooth. They extend from the stone part to the keel. The diameter of the fibres increases gradually from less than 1 micron at the stone tip to about 20 microns at the keel end, while their MgCO3 contents decrease from about 13 mol% to about 4.5 mol%. Each fibre is coated by a thin organic sheath and surrounded by polycrystalline calcitic discs containing as much as 35 mol% MgCO3. This structure constitutes a unique kind of gradient fibre-reinforced ceramic matrix composite, whose microhardness and toughness decrease gradually from the stone part to the keel. Primary plates are also important structural elements of the too...Continue Reading

References

Feb 1, 1976·The Biochemical Journal·D R Martin, R J Williams
Feb 28, 1992·Science·A H HeuerD H Thompson
Oct 1, 1986·The Journal of Experimental Zoology·D J VeisA Veis
Feb 5, 1971·Science·H A Lowenstam
Mar 29, 1974·Calcified Tissue Research·E Kniprath
Jul 27, 1962·Science·H A Lowenstam

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 11, 2003·Journal of Structural Biology·S R StockA Veis
Jul 18, 2006·Microscopy and Microanalysis : the Official Journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada·Yung-Ching ChienHojatollah Vali
Apr 1, 2009·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Yurong MaSteve Weiner
Dec 11, 2008·Proteome Science·Karlheinz MannMatthias Mann
Aug 27, 2014·Connective Tissue Research·Stuart R StockJonathan D Almer
Oct 6, 2012·Acta Biomaterialia·Miki E KunitakeLara A Estroff
Sep 4, 2012·Journal of Structural Biology·Stuart R StockJason R Dorvee
Dec 15, 2015·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Danielle LieskeBoaz Arzi
Apr 9, 2011·Journal of Human Evolution·Paul J ConstantinoBrian R Lawn
May 14, 2011·Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials·Juha SongMary C Boyce
Mar 25, 2008·Journal of Structural Biology·Stephen Weiner
Jul 22, 2015·Annals of Anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : Official Organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft·Yelin MaoThomas G H Diekwisch
May 15, 2007·Micron : the International Research and Review Journal for Microscopy·Seung Woo LeeCheong Song Choi
Jan 15, 2008·Biophysical Journal·Dana N MosesFrank W Zok
Dec 10, 2008·Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part a·Long-Bin JengSophia Chia-Ning Chang
Jun 26, 2003·Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity·Fred H WiltBrian T Livingston
Jan 23, 1999·The Journal of Urology·A ZismanL Addadi
Jan 6, 2015·Journal of Structural Biology·Admir Masic, James C Weaver
Dec 3, 2013·Journal of Structural Biology·Xia LongLimin Qi
Jun 18, 2014·Acta Biomaterialia·Andreas J GoetzW W Schmahl
Jan 13, 2010·Journal of Structural Biology·C MoureauxP Dubois
Jun 29, 2013·Journal of Structural Biology·Ian C OlsonPupa U P A Gilbert
Feb 14, 2015·Science·Yael Politi, James C Weaver
Mar 3, 2017·Nature·Bongjun YeomNicholas A Kotov
Aug 17, 1999·The Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry : Official Journal of the Histochemistry Society·L AmeyeP Dubois
Mar 21, 2018·Biomolecules·Milagros CastellanosMaría Gasset
Oct 31, 2017·Connective Tissue Research·S R StockA Veis
Nov 14, 2002·Microscopy Research and Technique·Arthur VeisStuart Stock
Mar 28, 2009·Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences·Bharat Bhushan
Feb 26, 2016·Scientific Reports·Shmuel BentovAmir Sagi
Dec 4, 2014·Journal of Biological Physics·Margarita Contreras-PadillaMario Enrique Rodríguez-García
May 11, 2018·Connective Tissue Research·Keith AlvaresArthur Veis
Mar 2, 2016·NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes·Yaara Oppenheimer-ShaananIlana Kolodkin-Gal

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.