Crystal formation and growth in bivalve nacre (original) (raw)

Nature volume 248, pages 128–130 (1974) Cite this article

Abstract

THERE are two theoretical explanations of the initiation and growth of the tabular aragonite crystals forming the nacreous layer in molluscan shells. The ‘template’ or ‘matrix’ hypothesis assumes that crystal nucleation and growth occur on the open surface of conchiolin membranes and may depend on active sites of this organic substratum2. This implies a process comparable to epitaxy. In contrast, the ‘compartment’ hypothesis envisages that nucleation and growth occur within, and are controlled by, pre-existing hollow compartments of the organic deposits3. Two recent scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies4 indicate that in gastropods there are no such compartments at the growth front of the nacreous layer. These studies are, however, not completely conclusive because of insufficient fixation of the samples. We have therefore studied the formation and growth of initial nacreous crystals in several species of bivalves.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 52 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.83 per issue

Buy this article

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Towe, K. M., Biomineral. Res. Repts., 4, 1 (1972).
    Google Scholar
  2. Wilbur, K. M., in Physiology of Molluscs I (edit. by Wilbur, K. M., and Yonge, C. M.), 243 (Academic Press, London, 1964); Wilbur, K. M. in Chemical Zoology, VII Mollusca (edit. by Florkin, M., and Scheer, B. T.), 103 (Academic Press, London, 1972).
    Google Scholar
  3. Bevelander, G., and Nakahara, H., Calc. Tiss. Res., 3, 84 (1969); 7, 31 (1971).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  4. Erben, H. K., Biomineral Res. Repts., 4, 15 (1972); 7, (1974).
    Google Scholar
  5. Spurr, A. R., J. ultrastr. Res., 26, 31 (1969).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  6. Reynolds, E. S., J. Cell Biol., 17, 208 (1963).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  7. Wise, Jr., Sh. W., Eclog. geol. Helv., 63, 775 (1970).
    Google Scholar
  8. Gregoire, Ch., Biol. Rev., 42, 653 (1967).
    Article CAS Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Electron Microscope Laboratory, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, 29208
    HEINRICH K. ERBEN & NORIMITSU WATABE
  2. Institut für Palaeontologie, Universitaet Bonn, 53 Bonn, 8, Nussallee
    HEINRICH K. ERBEN

Authors

  1. HEINRICH K. ERBEN
  2. NORIMITSU WATABE

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

ERBEN, H., WATABE, N. Crystal formation and growth in bivalve nacre.Nature 248, 128–130 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/248128a0

Download citation