But how does light reach these algae when the shell remains closed? Scientists have finally solved this mystery. The shells of these cockles feature tiny translucent windows composed of aragonite ...

The proteins in the dentine darken with heat but the mineral of the teeth - apatite - remains unchanged Compare the very young limpet and abalone shell with the Pleistocene clam shells. All are made ...

Pearls are made by marine oysters and freshwater mussels as a natural defence against an irritant such as a parasite entering their shell or damage to their fragile body. The oyster or mussel slowly ...

By secreting layers of aragonite and conchiolin, the same substances that are in its calcium carbonate shell, the mollusc creates a material called nacre, commonly known as mother-of-pearl. The oyster ...