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Nacre: A Unique Biomaterial Patterned by Liquid Crystals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Antonio Gerardo Checa,
Julyan H.E. Cartwright,
Bruno Escribano and
Ignacio Sáinz-Díaz
Antonio Gerardo Checa
Affiliation:
acheca@ugr.es, Universidad de Granada, Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Avenida Fuentenueva s/n, Granada, E-18071, Spain, +34958243201, +34958248528
Julyan H.E. Cartwright
Affiliation:
julyan@lec.csic.es, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, Edificio Instituto López Neyra, Avenida del Conocimiento s/n, Armilla (Granada), 18100, Spain
Bruno Escribano
Affiliation:
bruno@lec.csic.es, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, Edificio Instituto López Neyra, Avenida del Conocimiento s/n, Armilla (Granada), 18100, Spain
Ignacio Sáinz-Díaz
Affiliation:
cisainz@ugr.es, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, Edificio Instituto López Neyra, Avenida del Conocimiento s/n, Armilla (Granada), 18100, Spain
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Abstract

The sequence of formation of the organic and inorganic components of nacre in bivalves and gastropods is re-studied. We reach the conclusion that interlamellar membranes are formed well in advance of the other elements. In this way, we support and refine the compartment theory for the formation of nacre. We explain the arrangement of chitin crystallites within a single interlamellar membrane and the layering of interlamellar membranes as a process of formation of a liquid crystal.

Keywords

biomaterialbiological synthesis (assembly)liquid crystal

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