Logo image
Nature's conveyor belt - the matrix mediated biomineralization of magnetite in chitons (Mollusca)
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Nature's conveyor belt - the matrix mediated biomineralization of magnetite in chitons (Mollusca)

J.A. Shaw, D.J. Macey, L.R. Brooker, M. Saunders and P.L. Clode
Microscopy and Microanalysis, Vol.15(S2), pp.898-899
2009
pdf
nature's_conveyor_belt.pdfDownloadView
Published (Version of Record) Open Access
url
Link to Published Version *Subscription may be requiredView

Abstract

Chitons are marine molluscs that use a variety of iron and calcium based minerals to harden their teeth, which they use to scrape algae growing upon, and within, rocks. The teeth are mounted on a long ribbon-like organ termed the radula, with immature, unmineralized teeth at the posterior end and the hardened iron-mineralized teeth at the anterior end (Fig. 1). At any one time, up to 80 individual tooth rows can be observed, with each row becoming progressively mineralized as it moves forward in a conveyor belt-like manner. The ability to study the entire mineralization process in a single animal makes these creatures ideal for the study of matrix mediated biomineralization. The chiton’s ability to mineralize iron has inspired researchers who believe that new biomimetic materials and technologies can be developed based on the principles of biomineral formation.

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#13 Climate Action

Source: InCites

Metrics

204 File views/ downloads
37 Record Views

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Citation topics
2 Chemistry
2.165 Nanofibers, Scaffolds & Fabrication
2.165.1082 Calcium Carbonate Crystallization
Web Of Science research areas
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Microscopy
ESI research areas
Materials Science
Logo image