Biomineralization unicellular organisms

Biomineralization. The processes controlling biomineralization are summarized in Fig. 6.1c. Organized biopolymers at the sites of mineralization are essential to these processes. In unicellular organisms these macromolecules act primarily as spatial boundaries through which ions are selectively transported to produce localized supersaturation within discrete cellular compartments. In many instances, particularity in organisms such as the diatoms that deposit shells of amorphous silica, the final shape of the mineral appears to be dictated by the ultrastrucure of the membrane-bound compartment. Thus, a diversity of mineral shapes can be biologi-... 

Bauerlein, E. "Biomineralization of unicellular organisms an unusual membrane biochemistry for the production of inorganic nano- and microstructures". Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 42(6), 614-641 (2003). 

The processes controlling biomineralization are summarized in Figure 13.23b. Organized biopolymers at the sites of mineralization are essential to these processes. In unicellular organisms these macromolecules act primarily... 

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