Structure and crystallography of foliated and chalk shell microstructures of the oyster Magallana: the same materials grown under different conditions

Scientific Reports
Antonio G ChecaAlicia González-Segura

Abstract

Oyster shells are mainly composed of layers of foliated microstructure and lenses of chalk, a highly porous, apparently poorly organized and mechanically weak material. We performed a structural and crystallographic study of both materials, paying attention to the transitions between them. The morphology and crystallography of the laths comprising both microstructures are similar. The main differences were, in general, crystallographic orientation and texture. Whereas the foliated microstructure has a moderate sheet texture, with a defined 001 maximum, the chalk has a much weaker sheet texture, with a defined 011 maximum. This is striking because of the much more disorganized aspect of the chalk. We hypothesize that part of the unanticipated order is inherited from the foliated microstructure by means of, possibly, [Formula: see text] twinning. Growth line distribution suggests that during chalk formation, the mantle separates from the previous shell several times faster than for the foliated material. A shortage of structural material causes the chalk to become highly porous and allows crystals to reorient at a high angle to the mantle surface, with which they continue to keep contact. In conclusion, both materials are structu...Continue Reading

References

Sep 17, 2004·Biomaterials·Antonio G Checa, Alejandro B Rodríguez-Navarro
May 26, 2005·Biomaterials·Antonio Gerardo ChecaFransico J Esteban-Delgado
Nov 14, 2006·Journal of Structural Biology·Antonio G ChecaAlejandro B Rodríguez-Navarro
Apr 27, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·B PokroyE Zolotoyabko
Apr 11, 2008·The Biological Bulletin·Francisco J Esteban-DelgadoAlejandro B Rodríguez-Navarro
Mar 8, 2011·Gaceta sanitaria·Itziar LarizgoitiaUNKNOWN Equipo ISAVIC
Mar 4, 2014·PloS One·Antonio G ChecaJuan de Dios Bueno-Pérez
Jul 1, 2016·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Sarah LemerGonzalo Giribet

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Oct 1, 2020·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Antonio G ChecaElizabeth M Harper

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
X-ray
scanning electron microscopy

Software Mentioned

HKL CHANNEL5

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.