Effects of hydration on mechanical properties of a highly sclerotized tissue

Biophysical Journal
Dana N MosesF W Zok

Abstract

The jaws of the bloodworm Glycera dibranchiata consist principally of protein and melanin scaffolds with small amounts of unmineralized copper (Cu) and mineralized atacamite (Cu(2)Cl(OH)(3)) fibers in distinct regions. Remarkably, when tested in air, the regions containing unmineralized Cu are the hardest, stiffest, and most abrasion resistant. To establish the functions of jaw constituents in physiologically relevant environments, this study examines the effects of hydration on their response to indentation, scratching, and wear. Although all jaw regions are degraded by the presence of water, the ones containing unmineralized Cu are affected least. Notably, scratch depths in the bulk and the atacamite-containing regions double when wet, whereas the corresponding increase in the regions with unmineralized Cu is approximately 20%. The results support the view that Cu ions are involved in the formation of intermolecular coordination complexes, creating a cross-linked molecular network that is both mechanically robust and resistant to water ingress. Hydration effects are greatest during wear testing, rates of material removal in water being about three times those in air. The mechanism underlying accelerated wear is suspected to i...Continue Reading

References

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Aug 19, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Michael G PontinFrank W Zok

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Citations

Feb 24, 2012·The Journal of Experimental Biology·J Herbert Waite, Christopher C Broomell
May 7, 2013·Acta Biomaterialia·Shahrouz Amini, Ali Miserez
Oct 11, 2014·Angewandte Chemie·Elena DegtyarPeter Fratzl

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