Conchiolin

The shell of Stenotrema florida, a land snail. The periostracum is an organic layer of protein which, in this species, is developed into minute hairs, giving the snail a velvety look and feel

Conchiolin (sometimes referred to as conchin) and perlucin are complex proteins which are secreted by a mollusc's outer epithelium (the mantle).

These proteins are part of a matrix of organic macromolecules, mainly proteins and polysaccharides, that assembled together form the microenvironment where crystals nucleate and grow. This organic matrix also holds and binds to the crystals of aragonite which give such shells their stiffness.

The ions necessary to form calcium carbonate are also secreted by the mantle, but it is the tailored environment created by the organic matrix which causes aragonite (rather than calcite) crystals to nucleate, in much the same way that collagen nucleates hydroxyapatite crystals.

Conchiolin serves as a relatively flexible, crack-deflecting matrix for the mineral aggregate particles; its strength and the strong bonding of perlucin can in some cases (such as in the formation of nacre) give the finished material an impressive level of toughness.

As well as providing a matrix into which the hard calcium carbonate part of the shell is precipitated, many species of mollusks (such as the land snail shown above) also have an outer shell layer called the periostracum which is composed of the protein conchiolin.

See also

• Mollusc shell
• Periostracum
• Corneous
• Chitin
• Tectin
• Sporopollenin

External links

• Structure of the conchiolin cases of the prisms in Mytilus edulis, Charles Grégoire, 1960

This protein-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Protein stubs Proteins Molluscs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР San Diegan Encke (crater) Look at other dictionaries: Conchiolin — (auch Conchin, Conchyolin, oder Conchyn) ist ein komplexes Protein und ein Hauptbestandteil der Cuticula (Periostracum, Außenhaut) der Schale von Weichtieren sowie der Matrix, welche die Aragonit Kristalle im Perlmutt verkittet. Diese Matrix… …   Deutsch Wikipedia Conchiolin — (Chem.), eine von Schloßberger in den Schalen der Conchylien entdeckte organische Substanz, welche dem Chitin der Gliederthiere sehr ähnlich ist …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon conchiolin — [käŋ kī′ə lin] n. [< L concha, a mussel (see CONCH) + OL2 + IN1] an albuminoid protein of mollusks, forming the main portion of the organic matrix of the shell …   English World dictionary Conchiolin — Con|chi|o|lin [lat. concha = Muschel], das; s, e: svw. ↑ Conchagen. * * * Conchiolin   das, s, Gerüsteiweißstoff der Muschel und Schneckenschalen …   Universal-Lexikon conchiolin — n. [L. concha, shell] (MOLLUSCA) The organic component forming the thin outer layer of the shell; conchin; see nacre …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology conchiolin — /kong kuy euh lin/, n. Biochem. a fibrous protein that forms the iridescent inner layer, as mother of pearl, in the shells of mollusks. [1865 70; CONCH + I + ol ( < L olus OLE1) + IN2] * * * …   Universalium conchiolin — noun Any of a group of proteins which, together with polysaccharides and calcium carbonate, makes up the shells of molluscs …   Wiktionary conchiolin — con·chi·o·lin …   English syllables conchiolin — …   Useful english dictionary conchiolin osteomyelitis — a condition seen in workers in mother of pearl, probably due to the inhaled dust being deposited in the bone marrow. Cf. coniosis …   Medical dictionary 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”