Mechanisms and Phylogeny of Mineralization in Biological Systems: Biomineralization ’90Shoichi Suga, Hiroshi Nakahara Various kinds of mineralization have been found in many biological systems. Investigations made at a microscopical level using various sophisticated analytical methods and using principles developed in different fields have clarified their mechanisms very much. Sometimes, very similar phenomena have been found in the mineralized tissues of completely different biological systems. Compilation and comparative investigations of such findings obtained from the many specimens systematically collected contribute a great deal to an understanding of the crucial mechanisms and significance of biominerali zation which originated in very primitive organisms and remain in advanced ones. Previously, the functional significance of mineralized tissues was considered mainly from an anatomical point of view based upon their morphological and structural features. However, the recent advance of investigations has made it possible to interpret the func tional significance of biomineralization not only from local and mechanical points of view, but also from a systemic and phylogenetic point of view. It is also well-known that biomineralization has contributed in various ways to geological and oceanographical conditions of the environment in which the organisms were living. During this process, the mechanisms of biomineralization may have evolved to maintain harmony between organisms and their environments. |
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ameloblasts amelogenin amino acid amino acid composition amorphous analysis apatite aragonitic bands Biochem Biol biological biomineralization bivalves bone bovine buffer calcite calcium phosphate carbonate cells chemical collagen components concentration containing crossed lamellar structure crystallites cystoliths DCPD demineralization dental dentin deposition diffraction electron microscopy enamel enamelin enameloid matrix endolymph extract ferritin fibrils fish fluoride formation formed fossil fraction fusiform crystals granules hydroxyapatite insoluble ions iron Japan Key words Japan Phone lamellar structure lattice MATERIALS AND METHODS maturation membrane micrograph microscope microstructure mineral molar molluscs morphology nacre nacreous nucleation observed odontoblasts organic matrix otolith outer pattern periostracum phosphophoryn plasma pleromin precipitation present prismatic prisms samples scanning electron SDS-PAGE sharks shell layer shows skeleton soluble matrix solution species specimens spicules stage stained Stegodon surface teeth tooth Tsurumi University tubular vesicles University Weiner whitlockite X-ray