Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Eyestalk Ablation to Increase Ovarian Maturation in Mud Crabs
Published on: March 31, 2023
Nacre morphology and chemical composition in Atlantic winged oyster Pteria colymbus (Röding, 1798)
Pablo Santana1, Dalila Aldana Aranda1
1Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mérida, Yucatán, México.
Abstract:
The microstructure and nanostructure of nacre in Pteria colymbus were studied with high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The tablets were found to be flat and polyhedral with four to eight sides, and lengths ranging from 0.6 to 3.0 µm. They consisted of nanocrystals 41 nm wide, growing in the same direction. X-ray diffraction showed the crystals to be mineral phase aragonite, which was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identified a band at 1,786.95 cm-1 attributed to carboxylate (carbonyl) groups of the proteins present in the organic matrix as well as bands characteristic of calcium carbonate. X-ray fluorescence showed the nacre to contain 98% calcium carbonate, as well as minor elements (Si, Na, S and Sr) and trace elements (Mg, P, Cu, Al, Fe, Cl, K and Zn).
Related Concept Videos
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
Exocrine Glands: Unicellular and Multicellular Glands
Cleavage and Blastulation
Pinching-off of Coated Vesicles

