biomineralization
biomineralization The incorporation of inorganic compounds, such as salts, into biological structures, often to lend them hardness or rigidity. Biomineralization first occurred in, and defines, the Cambrian period about 590 million years ago, in Brachiopoda, Trilobita, Ostracoda, and Graptolithina. In vertebrates, hydroxyapatite usually occurs, in invertebrates inorganic minerals are more varied: calcite and aragonite (a harder, less stable form of calcite) are common, permeating chitin (see SKELETAL MATERIAL) to form the hard exoskeletons of Arthropoda and also forming the calcareous material of shells; in Radiolaria and some Porifera, the skeleton is made of opaline silica; Radiolarians occasionally have a strontium sulphate instead of siliceous skeleton.
biomineralization
biomineralization The incorporation of inorganic compounds, such as salts, into biological structures, often to lend them hardness or rigidity. Biomineralization first occurred in, and defines, the Cambrian period about 542 million years ago, in brachiopods, trilobites, ostracods, and graptolites (Graptolithina). In vertebrates, hydroxyapatite usually occurs, in invertebrates inorganic minerals are more varied: calcite and aragonite (a harder, less stable form of calcite) are common, permeating chitin to form the hard exoskeletons of Arthropoda and also forming the calcareous material of shells; in Radiolaria and some Porifera, the skeleton is made of opaline silica; radiolarians occasionally have a strontium sulphate instead of siliceous skeleton.
More From encyclopedia.com
Uraninite , uraninite (pitchblende) Mineral, UO2; sp. gr. from 8.5 when massive to 10 for unaltered crystals; hardness 5–6; cubic; it is brownish-black or grey-b… Hardness , hardness
1. A measure of the ability of water to form a carbonate scale when boiled, or to prevent the sudsing of soap. Permanent hardness is due mai… Warren Gamaliel Harding , Harding, Warren G.
WITH these words, "I cannot hope to be one of the great presidents, but perhaps I may be remembered as one of the best loved," War… Calcareous Sponges , Calcarea (Calcispongea; phylum Porifera) A class of marine sponges that have a skeleton of calcareous spicules. Forms displaying leucon structure are… Form , FORM
From the Latin forma, a term signifying figure or shape or "that which is seen" (Gr. ε[symbol omitted]δος) and having many derived meanings, suc… Anglesite , wulfenite Mineral, PbMoO4; sp. gr. 6.5–7.0; hardness 3; tetragonal; orange-yellow, olive-green, or brown; white streak; resinous lustre; crystals usu…
About this article
Biomineralization
All Sources -
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Biomineralization