Biomineralization

Biomineralization is the production of minerals by organisms to form structures such as shells, teeth, and skeletons. Organisms regulate mineral formation to shape these structures and control their properties.

Biologically controlled mineralization: Mineral formation directed by an organism through cellular or molecular control over its location, composition, and structure. This mechanism distinguishes most shells and skeletons from minerals precipitated incidentally in tissues.
Calcite: A crystalline form of calcium carbonate with a trigonal crystal structure. Many organisms build structures from calcite, sometimes alongside other calcium carbonate phases.
Mollusca: A large animal phylum that includes snails, clams, octopuses, and squids. Many mollusks produce mineralized shells whose structure varies with habitat and function.
Biomineralization and ocean acidification: The study of how declining seawater pH affects organisms that build calcium carbonate structures. Acidification can alter mineral production, dissolution, and the energetic costs of building shells.
Biologically induced mineralization: Mineral formation caused indirectly by an organism's effects on its chemical environment. It contrasts with the tight biological control used to build many biomineralized structures.
Aragonite: An orthorhombic crystalline form of calcium carbonate. Mollusk shells and coral skeletons often use aragonite rather than calcite.
Coral reef: A marine ecosystem built largely from calcium carbonate skeletons produced by corals and other organisms. Reef construction scales biomineralization from individual skeletons to vast ecosystems.
Biomineralization and climate change: Research on how climate-driven changes affect biological mineral production and its environmental consequences. Temperature and ocean chemistry shifts may change biomineral growth and ecosystem-scale carbonate production.
Nacre: A layered form of mother-of-pearl made from aragonite tablets and organic material. Its layered architecture shows how organisms organize mineral crystals with organic components.
Hydroxyapatite: A calcium phosphate mineral that forms the principal inorganic component of vertebrate bone and tooth enamel. It is the characteristic mineral phase of vertebrate hard tissues.

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