Self-similar mesostructure evolution of the growing mollusc shell reminiscent of thermodynamically driven grain growth

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Bernd Bayerlein - , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (Autor:in)
  • Paul Zaslansky - , Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Autor:in)
  • Yannicke Dauphin - , Sorbonne Université (Autor:in)
  • Alexander Rack - , European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Autor:in)
  • Peter Fratzl - , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (Autor:in)
  • Igor Zlotnikov - , Multi-Skalen-Analyse (NFoG), Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (Autor:in)

Abstract

Significant progress has been made in understanding the interaction between mineral precursors and organic components leading to material formation and structuring in biomineralizing systems. The mesostructure of biological materials, such as the outer calcitic shell of molluscs, is characterized by many parameters and the question arises as to what extent they all are, or need to be, controlled biologically. Here, we analyse the three-dimensional structure of the calcite-based prismatic layer of Pinna nobilis, the giant Mediterranean fan mussel, using high-resolution synchrotron-based microtomography. We show that the evolution of the layer is statistically self-similar and, remarkably, its morphology and mesostructure can be fully predicted using classical materials science theories for normal grain growth. These findings are a fundamental step in understanding the constraints that dictate the shape of these biogenic minerals and shed light on how biological organisms make use of thermodynamics to generate complex morphologies.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)1102-1107
Seitenumfang6
FachzeitschriftNature materials
Jahrgang13
Ausgabenummer12
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 1 Dez. 2014
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

PubMed 25326825