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A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

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Structure, composition, and mechanical properties of shark teeth.

Joachim Enax¹, Oleg Prymak, Dierk Raabe

¹Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5-7, 45117 Essen, Germany.

Journal of Structural Biology

|April 17, 2012

Summary

Shark teeth enameloid is highly crystalline fluoroapatite, similar to geological samples. Its superior hardness compared to dentin is due to crystal structure, not composition, enabling distinct predatory functions.

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Area of Science:

Biomineralization
Materials Science
Paleontology

Background:

Shark teeth enameloid and dentin exhibit distinct structural and chemical properties.
Understanding these properties is crucial for comprehending tooth function and evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

To structurally and chemically characterize shark teeth (Isurus oxyrinchus, Galeocerdo cuvier) and compare them to geological fluoroapatite.
To investigate the relationship between composition, structure, and mechanical properties of shark teeth.

Main Methods:

X-ray diffraction for structural analysis.
Scanning electron microscopy for crystal morphology.
Thermogravimetric analysis for composition (water, organic matrix, biomineral).
Nanoindentation and Vickers microhardness testing for mechanical properties.

Main Results:

Shark teeth enameloid is highly crystalline fluoroapatite, with lattice parameters similar to geological fluoroapatite.
Enameloid crystals are highly ordered and topologically oriented.
Dentin contains more water, organic matrix, and carbonate but less fluoride than enameloid.
Shark teeth enameloid is approximately six times harder than dentin.
Shark teeth hardness is comparable to human teeth, but softer than geological fluoroapatite due to its organic matrix.

Conclusions:

The distinct predatory functions of shark teeth (tearing vs. cutting) are primarily determined by their geometry, not their chemical or crystallographic composition.
The high hardness and ordered structure of enameloid contribute to tooth durability and function.