Biomineralization

Part of a series related to
Biomineralization
General
Exoskeletons (shells)
Endoskeletons (bones)
Teeth, scales, tusks etc
Calcification
Silicification
Other forms
Related
IUPAC definition

Biomineralization: Complete conversion of organic substances to inorganic derivatives by living organisms, especially micro-organisms.[1]

Fossil skeletal parts from extinct belemnite cephalopods of the Jurassic – these contain mineralized calcite and aragonite.

Biomineralization, also written biomineralisation, is the process by which living organisms produce minerals,[a] often resulting in hardened or stiffened mineralized tissues. It is an extremely widespread phenomenon: all six taxonomic kingdoms contain members that are able to form minerals, and over 60 different minerals have been identified in organisms.[2][3][4] Examples include silicates in algae and diatoms, carbonates in invertebrates, and calcium phosphates and carbonates in vertebrates. These minerals often form structural features such as sea shells and the bone in mammals and birds.

Organisms have been producing mineralized skeletons for the past 550 million years. Calcium carbonates and calcium phosphates are usually crystalline, but silica organisms (sponges, diatoms...) are always non-crystalline minerals. Other examples include copper, iron, and gold deposits involving bacteria. Biologically formed minerals often have special uses such as magnetic sensors in magnetotactic bacteria (Fe3O4), gravity-sensing devices (CaCO3, CaSO4, BaSO4) and iron storage and mobilization (Fe2O3•H2O in the protein ferritin).

In terms of taxonomic distribution, the most common biominerals are the phosphate and carbonate salts of calcium that are used in conjunction with organic polymers such as collagen and chitin to give structural support to bones and shells.[5] The structures of these biocomposite materials are highly controlled from the nanometer to the macroscopic level, resulting in complex architectures that provide multifunctional properties. Because this range of control over mineral growth is desirable for materials engineering applications, there is interest in understanding and elucidating the mechanisms of biologically-controlled biomineralization.[6][7]

  1. ^ a b Vert M, Doi Y, Hellwich KH, Hess M, Hodge P, Kubisa P, Rinaudo M, Schué F (11 January 2012). "Terminology for biorelated polymers and applications (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)". Pure and Applied Chemistry. 84 (2): 377–410. doi:10.1351/PAC-REC-10-12-04. S2CID 98107080.
  2. ^ Sigel A, Sigel H, Sigel RK, eds. (2008). Biomineralization: From Nature to Application. Metal Ions in Life Sciences. Vol. 4. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-03525-2.
  3. ^ Weiner S, Lowenstam HA (1989). On biomineralization. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-504977-0.
  4. ^ Cuif JP, Dauphin Y, Sorauf JE (2011). Biominerals and fossils through time. Cambridge. ISBN 978-0-521-87473-1.
  5. ^ Vinn O (2013). "Occurrence, formation and function of organic sheets in the mineral tube structures of Serpulidae (polychaeta, Annelida)". PLOS ONE. 8 (10): e75330. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...875330V. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0075330. PMC 3792063. PMID 24116035.
  6. ^ Boskey AL (1998). "Biomineralization: conflicts, challenges, and opportunities". Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. 30–31 (S30-31): 83–91. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-4644(1998)72:30/31+<83::AID-JCB12>3.0.CO;2-F. PMID 9893259. S2CID 46004807.
  7. ^ Sarikaya M (December 1999). "Biomimetics: materials fabrication through biology". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 96 (25): 14183–14185. Bibcode:1999PNAS...9614183S. doi:10.1073/pnas.96.25.14183. PMC 33939. PMID 10588672.


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