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Adhesion

Adhesion

Adhesion occurs when one type of molecule is attracted to a different molecule. Water exhibits adhesive properties in the presence of polar surfaces, such as glass or cellulose in plants. For instance, when water is poured into a glass, the positively charged hydrogen molecules of water are more attracted to the negatively charged oxygen molecules in the silica than to the oxygen in neighboring water molecules.
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow glass...

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...

Cell Adhesion in Plants

Cell Adhesion in Plants

Plants have rigid cell walls that are made up of cell wall polysaccharides that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The primary cell walls of plants consist of two independent and interacting polysaccharide networks: a pectin matrix that embeds the second network comprising cellulose and hemicelluloses.
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...

Surface Appendages of Archaea

Surface Appendages of Archaea

Archaeal surface appendages are highly specialized structures essential for environmental adaptation, encompassing roles in adhesion, biofilm formation, and motility. Among these appendages, pili and archaella stand out for their distinct morphologies and functionalities, enabling archaea to thrive in diverse and often extreme environments.Pili: Adhesion and Biofilm FormationPili are filamentous structures assembled from pilin protein subunits, primarily contributing to adhesion and biofilm...

Types of Membrane Protrusions

Types of Membrane Protrusions

The protrusion of the cell surface is an initial step for several cellular processes, including cell migration, phagocytosis, and neurite outgrowth. These membrane protrusions are a result of cytoskeletal rearrangement. The most widely observed cell protrusions include lamellipodia, pseudopodia, filopodia, microvilli, invadopodia, and podosomes. These protrusions can be of two types — static or dynamic.
The microvilli, an example of stable protrusions, are finger-like projections with a...

Adherens Junctions

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types – adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida)

Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida)

Published on: October 4, 2019

Understanding marine mussel adhesion.

Heather G Silverman¹, Francisco F Roberto

¹Biological Systems Department, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415, USA. Heather.Silverman@inl.gov

Marine Biotechnology (New York, N.Y.)

|November 9, 2007

Summary

Researchers are exploring mussel adhesive proteins for creating strong, eco-friendly underwater glues. While natural processes remain difficult to replicate, advancements in recombinant protein production offer promising applications for diverse materials.

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Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida)

Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida)

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The Barnacle Balanus improvisus as a Marine Model - Culturing and Gene Expression

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A Toxicological and Ecotoxicological Assay Based on Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) Hemocytes Motility

A Toxicological and Ecotoxicological Assay Based on Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) Hemocytes Motility

Published on: December 13, 2024

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Marine Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Marine mussels, like Mytilus edulis, produce powerful underwater adhesives.
Research focuses on mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs), their genes, and production methods.
Current challenges include replicating natural adhesive synthesis processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review identified adhesive proteins in the blue mussel.
To introduce current research interests in mussel adhesion.
To discuss future research directions for mussel-inspired adhesives.

Main Methods:

Literature review of mussel adhesive proteins.
Analysis of gene identification and environmental factor studies.
Exploration of recombinant protein production strategies.

Main Results:

Mussel adhesive proteins offer potential for water-impervious, ecologically safe adhesives.
Recombinant MAPs can bind a wide range of materials, from industrial to biological.
Direct duplication of mussel adhesive production remains an unsolved challenge.

Conclusions:

Mussel adhesive proteins hold significant promise for developing advanced biomimetic adhesives.
Further research into recombinant protein production and synthesis pathways is crucial.
Continued investigation into mussel adhesion can lead to innovative material bonding solutions.