Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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...

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:...

Laminins are the Adhesive Proteins of Basal Lamina

Laminins are the Adhesive Proteins of Basal Lamina

Laminins are heterotrimeric proteins with high molecular mass found in the extracellular matrix. Each laminin molecule is composed of three chains, viz. alpha, beta, and gamma, coded by five, four, and three paralogous genes, respectively. Laminins are categories based on the compositions of the three chains.
In humans, the five forms of alpha chains are LAMA 1, LAMA 2, LAMA 3, LAMA 4, and LAMA 5. The four forms of beta chains are LAMB 1, LAMB 2, LAMB 3, and LAMB 4. The three forms of gamma...

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...

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Molecular Interactions of Juvenile and Adult Barnacles at the Polymer Interface.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2026

Same author

Functional Microbiomes at the Interface: Mediators in Marine Biofouling and Larval Settlement.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026

Same author

Sea anemones extract tin associated with polyvinyl chloride pre-production pellets.

Environmental science. Processes & impacts·2026

Same author

Embryonic exposure to irgarol impacts development and larval and juvenile swimming in zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>).

Biofouling·2026

Same author

Egg Hatching, Peptide Pheromones, and Endoproteinases in Barnacles.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025

Same author

Characterization and Biolubricant Performance of Marinobacter alanticus Lipid Extract.

Biotechnology journal·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

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

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

Published on: August 8, 2018

Barnacle Balanus amphitrite adheres by a stepwise cementing process.

Daniel K Burden¹, Daniel E Barlow, Christopher M Spillmann

¹Chemistry Division, Code 6176, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-5342, USA.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids

|June 23, 2012

Summary

Barnacle adhesion involves a two-step underwater secretion process. A second fluid secretion (BCS2) significantly boosts adhesive strength, revealing new insights into biomaterials.

More Related Videos

Using Archival Japanese Paper and Thermoplastic Resins to Prepare Fossils for Storage, Display, Transport, and Radiography

Using Archival Japanese Paper and Thermoplastic Resins to Prepare Fossils for Storage, Display, Transport, and Radiography

Published on: November 14, 2025

Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities

Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities

Published on: January 6, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

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

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

Published on: August 8, 2018

Using Archival Japanese Paper and Thermoplastic Resins to Prepare Fossils for Storage, Display, Transport, and Radiography

Using Archival Japanese Paper and Thermoplastic Resins to Prepare Fossils for Storage, Display, Transport, and Radiography

Published on: November 14, 2025

Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities

Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities

Published on: January 6, 2023

Area of Science:

Marine Biology
Biomaterials Science
Adhesion Science

Background:

Barnacles permanently adhere to surfaces using underwater adhesives.
The precise mechanisms of barnacle underwater adhesion are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the two-step fluid secretion process in acorn barnacle (Balanus amphitrite) adhesion.
To elucidate the distinct roles of barnacle cement secretions 1 (BCS1) and 2 (BCS2) in enhancing adhesive strength.

Main Methods:

Observation of barnacle growth and cement secretion patterns.
Analysis of adhesive strength with and without BCS2.
Characterization of secretion morphology, protein conformation, and chemical functionality.
Fracture mechanics analysis of the adhesive interface.

Main Results:

Barnacle adhesion involves sequential secretion of BCS1 and BCS2.
BCS2 secretion doubles adhesive strength compared to BCS1 alone.
BCS2 generates networked amyloid-like fibrils and increases phenolic content, enhancing mechanical stability.

Conclusions:

Barnacle adhesion is a sophisticated two-step process, with BCS2 playing a critical role in strengthening the bond.
Phenolic components and fibril formation are key to the enhanced mechanical properties of barnacle underwater adhesives.
Findings necessitate a reevaluation of phenolic roles in arthropod and crustacean structural adhesion.