Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Shells - Advanced/Answer Key"
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[[image:nacre.jpg|thumb|A piece of nacre]] | [[image:nacre.jpg|thumb|A piece of nacre]] | ||
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'''Nacre''', also known as '''mother of pearl''' or '''sadaf''', is an organic mixture of [[calcium carbonate]] (CaCO<sub>3</sub>) in the form of platy crystals of [[aragonite]] and [[conchiolin]] (a [[scleroprotein]]). | '''Nacre''', also known as '''mother of pearl''' or '''sadaf''', is an organic mixture of [[calcium carbonate]] (CaCO<sub>3</sub>) in the form of platy crystals of [[aragonite]] and [[conchiolin]] (a [[scleroprotein]]). | ||
Nacre is secreted by the [[ectoderm|ectodermic]] [[cell (biology)|cells]] of the [[Mantle (mollusc)|mantle tissue]] of certain species of [[mollusk]]. In these mollusks, nacre is continually deposited onto the inner surface of the animal's shell (the [[iridescent]] ''nacreous layer'', commonly known as ''mother of pearl''), both as a means to smooth the shell itself and as a defense against [[parasite|parasitic organisms]] and damaging detritus. | Nacre is secreted by the [[ectoderm|ectodermic]] [[cell (biology)|cells]] of the [[Mantle (mollusc)|mantle tissue]] of certain species of [[mollusk]]. In these mollusks, nacre is continually deposited onto the inner surface of the animal's shell (the [[iridescent]] ''nacreous layer'', commonly known as ''mother of pearl''), both as a means to smooth the shell itself and as a defense against [[parasite|parasitic organisms]] and damaging detritus. | ||
| − | The iridescent inner layer is considered highly attractive by many cultures and is often used in making [[ | + | The iridescent inner layer is considered highly attractive by many cultures and is often used in making [[jewelery]] or as inlays in wood [[furniture]] and [[guitar]]s. |
When a mollusk is invaded by a [[parasite]] or is irritated by a foreign object that the animal cannot eject, a process known as ''[[encystation]]'' entombs the offending entity in successive, concentric layers of nacre. This process eventually forms what we call [[pearl]]s and continues for as long as the mollusk lives. | When a mollusk is invaded by a [[parasite]] or is irritated by a foreign object that the animal cannot eject, a process known as ''[[encystation]]'' entombs the offending entity in successive, concentric layers of nacre. This process eventually forms what we call [[pearl]]s and continues for as long as the mollusk lives. | ||
| − | + | Chief sources are the pearl [[oyster]], found in warm and tropical seas, primarily in [[Asia]]; freshwater pearl mussels, which live in many rivers of the [[United States]], [[Europe]], and Asia; and the [[abalone]] of [[California]], [[Japan]], and other [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] regions. | |
| − | *Lin, A., and Meyers, M.A. 2005. Growth and structure in abalone shell, ''Materials Science and Engineering A'' '''390'''(Jan. 15):27–41 ( | + | ==Decorative uses== |
| + | |||
| + | Tiles: Small, hand-cut shapes with straight edges, called 'tesserae', are laminated to either a [[marble]] or a [[ceramic]] base. The tesserae are hand placed and closely sandwiched together, creating an irregular mosaic or pattern (such as a weave). The laminated material is typically 1/16 of an inch thick. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Sheets: Instead of using a marble or tile base, the mother of pearl tesserae are glued to a [[fiberglass]] mesh. The result is a lightweight material that offers a seamless installation, and there is no limit to the sheet size. Mother of pearl sheets may be used on interior floors, exterior and interior walls, countertops, doors and ceilings. Insertion into architectural elements, such as columns or furniture is easily accomplished. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Both black and white mother of pearl are used for architectural purposes. The natural mother of pearl may be artificially tinted to almost any color. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Mother of pearl is also used to clad porcelain sinks. Mother of pearl tesserae may be cut into artistic shapes and be laminated to ceramic tile and surrounded by numerous coats of colored lacquer to create an artistic design. The lacquer and the mother of pearl are polished at the same time, creating a durable, glossy hard surface. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Reference== | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Lin, A., and Meyers, M.A. 2005. Growth and structure in abalone shell, ''Materials Science and Engineering A'' '''390'''(Jan. 15):27–41 ([http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TXD-4DH2DRS-1&_coverDate=01%2F15%2F2005&_alid=256050522&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_qd=1&_cdi=5588&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=f4efd0a3d7cf3b4a0b8f9861cff4514d ]) | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| + | {{Wiktionary}} | ||
* [[Ammolite]] | * [[Ammolite]] | ||
[[Category:Molluscs]] | [[Category:Molluscs]] | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Gemstones]] | |
[[de:Perlmutt]] | [[de:Perlmutt]] | ||
[[pl:Masa perłowa]] | [[pl:Masa perłowa]] | ||
Revision as of 08:23, 6 September 2005
Nacre, also known as mother of pearl or sadaf, is an organic mixture of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of platy crystals of aragonite and conchiolin (a scleroprotein).
Nacre is secreted by the ectodermic cells of the mantle tissue of certain species of mollusk. In these mollusks, nacre is continually deposited onto the inner surface of the animal's shell (the iridescent nacreous layer, commonly known as mother of pearl), both as a means to smooth the shell itself and as a defense against parasitic organisms and damaging detritus.
The iridescent inner layer is considered highly attractive by many cultures and is often used in making jewelery or as inlays in wood furniture and guitars.
When a mollusk is invaded by a parasite or is irritated by a foreign object that the animal cannot eject, a process known as encystation entombs the offending entity in successive, concentric layers of nacre. This process eventually forms what we call pearls and continues for as long as the mollusk lives.
Chief sources are the pearl oyster, found in warm and tropical seas, primarily in Asia; freshwater pearl mussels, which live in many rivers of the United States, Europe, and Asia; and the abalone of California, Japan, and other Pacific regions.
Decorative uses
Tiles: Small, hand-cut shapes with straight edges, called 'tesserae', are laminated to either a marble or a ceramic base. The tesserae are hand placed and closely sandwiched together, creating an irregular mosaic or pattern (such as a weave). The laminated material is typically 1/16 of an inch thick.
Sheets: Instead of using a marble or tile base, the mother of pearl tesserae are glued to a fiberglass mesh. The result is a lightweight material that offers a seamless installation, and there is no limit to the sheet size. Mother of pearl sheets may be used on interior floors, exterior and interior walls, countertops, doors and ceilings. Insertion into architectural elements, such as columns or furniture is easily accomplished.
Both black and white mother of pearl are used for architectural purposes. The natural mother of pearl may be artificially tinted to almost any color.
Mother of pearl is also used to clad porcelain sinks. Mother of pearl tesserae may be cut into artistic shapes and be laminated to ceramic tile and surrounded by numerous coats of colored lacquer to create an artistic design. The lacquer and the mother of pearl are polished at the same time, creating a durable, glossy hard surface.
Reference
- Lin, A., and Meyers, M.A. 2005. Growth and structure in abalone shell, Materials Science and Engineering A 390(Jan. 15):27–41 ([1])
