Common crystal nucleation mechanism in shell formation of two morphologically distinct calcite brachiopods

Perez-Huerta, A. and Cusack, M. (2008) Common crystal nucleation mechanism in shell formation of two morphologically distinct calcite brachiopods. Zoology, 111(1), pp. 9-15. (doi: 10.1016/j.zool.2007.03.004)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.zool.2007.03.004

Abstract

Closely related mineral-producing organisms share common biomineralisation processes. We demonstrate that, in cases of disparate mineral structures where crystal growth mechanisms are necessarily diverse, nucleation processes are the common underlying mechanism during shell formation. Detailed crystallography in the context of shell microstructure in two morphologically distinct calcite brachiopods indicates that, despite differences in shell growth and fabric, at the centre of growth, calcite crystals nucleate with the c-axis 0 0 0 1 parallel to the shell surface. Such detailed contextual crystallography of biomineralisation using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) will have significant applications for future research in biological and medical sciences.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Cusack, Professor Maggie and Perez-Huerta, Dr Alberto
Authors: Perez-Huerta, A., and Cusack, M.
Subjects:Q Science > QH Natural history
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
Journal Name:Zoology
ISSN:0944-2006
ISSN (Online):1873-2720
Published Online:31 October 2007

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