Biomineral

Biominerals are compounds of minerals and biomolecules . They are formed by various plants and animals to build up particularly firm tissue structures ( biomineralization ) and occur, for example, in mussel shells . Such structures are also present in teeth .

Possible applications of these compounds in medical technology and in construction (unbreakable concrete) are being investigated in terms of materials . Today about 60 biominerals are known.

Examples

• Apatite ( tooth enamel , dentin , bone , brachiopod shells, kidney stones )
• Aragonite
• Calcite
• Opal , (grass ( phytolite ), diatoms )
• quartz
• Vaterite (mussel shells, bird eggs, brachiopod shells , sepia )

source

• GEO (August 2006)