Abstract
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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 980-987 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Chemistry - A European Journal |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 23 2006 |
Keywords
- Biomineralization
- Crystal growth
- Gels
- Mollusk shell
- Nacre
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Catalysis
- Organic Chemistry
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Cite this
Addadi, L., Joester, D., Nudelman, F., & Weiner, S. (2006). Mollusk shell formation: A source of new concepts for understanding biomineralization processes. Chemistry - A European Journal, 12(4), 980-987. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.200500980