Dynamics of sheet nacre formation in bivalves.
Formation of nacre (mother-of-pearl) is a biomineralization process of fundamental scientific as well as industrial importance. However, the dynamics of the formation process is still not understood. Here, we use scanning electron microscopy and high spatial resolution ion microprobe depth-profiling to image the full three-dimensional distribution of organic materials around individual tablets in the top-most layer of forming nacre in bivalves. Nacre formation proceeds by lateral, symmetric growth of individual tablets mediated by a growth-ring rich in organics, in which aragonite crystallizes from amorphous precursors. The pivotal role in nacre formation played by the growth-ring structure documented in this study adds further complexity to a highly dynamical biomineralization process.
Rousseau
Marthe
M
UMR 7561 CNRS-Nancy University, BP 184, 54505 Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France. rousseam@gmx.net
Meibom
Anders
A
Gèze
Marc
M
Bourrat
Xavier
X
Angellier
Martine
M
Lopez
Evelyne
E
D000825:Animal Structures / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000818:Animals; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000378:metabolism*; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D003460:Crystallization; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000032:analysis; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D049911:Pinctada / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018629:Spectrometry, Mass, Secondary Ion; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis
D008903:Minerals; D013455:Sulfur; D002244:Carbon; D006859:Hydrogen; D002119:Calcium Carbonate