Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Shells - Advanced/Answer Key"

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The '''mantle''' is an organ found in [[mollusk]]s. It is the dorsal body wall covering the main body, or visceral mass. The [[epidermis]] of this organ secretes [[calcium carbonate]] to create a shell.  
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The term '''byssus''' (sometimes '''byssal thread''', or '''byssus thread''') denotes strong threads secreted by [[mussel]]s to attach to [[rock (geology)|rock]]s and large, generally heavy objects in the [[intertidal zone]]. They range to 6 [[centimetre|centimeters]] in length.  
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== Shell formation ==
 
  
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[[Nacre]] is secreted by the [[germ layer|ectodermic]] [[cell (biology)|cells]] of the mantle tissue of most mollusks. Mollusk [[blood]] is rich in a liquid form of [[calcium]]. In these mollusks the calcium is concentrated out from the blood where it can crystallize as calcium carbonate (CaCO<sub>3</sub>). The individual crystals of each layer differ in shape and orientation. Nacre is continually deposited onto the inner surface of the animal's [[animal shell|shell]] (the [[iridescent]] ''nacreous layer'', also known as ''[[Nacre|mother of pearl]]''), both as a means to smoothen the shell itself and as a defense against [[parasite|parasitic organisms]] and damaging detritus.
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The term that entered [[English (language) | English]] via [[Greek (language) | Greek]] ''bussos'', meaning ''linen, flax'', from an ultimate [[Egyptian language|Egyptian]] root meaning ''linen''.
  
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The calcium carbonate layers are generally of two types: an outer, chalk-like prismatic layer and an inner pearly, lamellar or nacreous layer. The layers may incorporate a substance called [[conchiolin]], often in order to help bind the calcium carbonate crystals together. Conchiolin is composed largely of [[quinone]]-tanned [[protein]]s.
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Royalty of ancient times favored textiles spun from byssal threads; they called such threads ''sea silk.'' The [[coat|cloak]] of a [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] [[Centurion]], the raiment of the [[Egypt|Egyptian]] King [[Tutankhamun]], and the [[golden fleece]] sought by [[Jason and the Argonauts]] have been reputed to have been spun from byssal threads.
  
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Some shells may also contain pigments, which accounts for the fabulous colours of some [[seashell]]s. These shell pigments may include compounds like [[pyrrole]]s and [[porphyrin]]s, which are also proteins.
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It is of scientific interest what enables byssal threads to adhere so strongly to surfaces, for byssal threads have a powerful [[adhesive|glue]].
  
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== The mantle cavity ==
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==External links and references==
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A mantle skirt is a double fold of mantle that encloses a water space. This space is called the ''mantle cavity'', and it is a central feature of mollusk biology, containing the mollusk's [[gill]]s, [[anus]], [[osphradium]], [[nephridiopore]]s, and [[gonopore]]s. The mantle cavity may function as a [[Respiration (physiology)|respiratory]] chamber (all mollusks), feeding structure ([[bivalve]]s), brood chamber (several forms), or locomotory organ ([[cephalopod]]s and some bivalves).
 
  
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The mantle is highly muscular. In cephalopods it is used to force water through a tubular siphon, the [[hyponome]], to propel the animal quickly through the water. In other mollusks, it is used as a kind of "foot" for locomotion.
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''General'':
  
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The [[nervous system]] of cephalopods is the most complex of the [[invertebrate]]s. The giant [[nerve]] fibers of the cephalopod mantle have been a favorite experimental material of [[Neurophysiology|neurophysiologists]] for many years.
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*[http://www.miljolare.no/virtue/img/Species/pages/Byssus%20threads%20from%20mussel.php A photo]
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*[http://www.aquatext.com/images/fish%20etc/byssus.htm Another photo]
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*[http://www.designboom.com/eng/education/byssus_history.html History of Sea Byssus cloth]
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*[http://www.designboom.com/eng/education/byssus_howto.html How to spin a byssus cloth]
  
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== See also ==
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''Definitions'':
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* [[Aperture (mollusc)|Aperture]]
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* [[Columella]]
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*[http://www.webster-dictionary.net/definition/Byssus Webster's defines ''byssus'']
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* [[Operculum (gastropod)|Operculum]]
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*[http://www.bartleby.com/61/28/B0592800.html American Heritage Dictionary defines ''byssus'']
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*[http://www.wordreference.com/english/definition.asp?en=byssus WorldReference.com on the word ''byssus'']
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''Scientific'':
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*[http://www.sciencenews.org/20040117/fob4.asp ''Science News'' on ''Marine Superglue'']
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*[http://www.lifesci.ucsb.edu/mcdb/labs/waite/byssus.html Byssus Facts]
  
 
[[Category:Animal anatomy]]
 
[[Category:Animal anatomy]]
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[[Category:Molluscs]]
 
  
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[[pt:Manto (molusco)]]
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[[de:Byssus]]
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<nowiki>Insert non-formatted text here</nowiki>
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[[eo:Bisino]]
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<a href="www.viruses.com">Get a free virus!! FREE!!!</a>
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[[it:Bisso]]
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[[lb:Byssus]]

Revision as of 23:58, 3 April 2006

The term byssus (sometimes byssal thread, or byssus thread) denotes strong threads secreted by mussels to attach to rocks and large, generally heavy objects in the intertidal zone. They range to 6 centimeters in length.

The term that entered English via Greek bussos, meaning linen, flax, from an ultimate Egyptian root meaning linen.

Royalty of ancient times favored textiles spun from byssal threads; they called such threads sea silk. The cloak of a Roman Centurion, the raiment of the Egyptian King Tutankhamun, and the golden fleece sought by Jason and the Argonauts have been reputed to have been spun from byssal threads.

It is of scientific interest what enables byssal threads to adhere so strongly to surfaces, for byssal threads have a powerful glue.

External links and references

General:

Definitions:

Scientific:

de:Byssus eo:Bisino it:Bisso lb:Byssus

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