Emiliania huxleyi coccoliths

Bi L, Yang P Impact of calcification state on the inherent optical properties of Emiliania huxleyi coccoliths and coccolithophores, J Quant Spectrosc Radiat Transf 155 10—21, 2015. 

Emiliania huxleyi is a unicellular alga which is surrounded by a number of loose oval discs of calcium carbonate (coccoliths). It has been shown that the CaC03 of the... 

De Jong, E. W., Bosch, L., Westbroek, P. Isolation and characterization of a Ca2+-binding polysaccharide associated with coccoliths of Emiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) Kamptner. Eur. 

Nature is full of complex constructions designed to encapsulate molecules within a defined space. At one extreme there are cells, enclosed within phospholipid bilayers, and sea dwelling algae like Emiliania huxleyi that are surrounded by calcium carbonate coccoliths which overlap to form an exoskeleton. On a smaller scale are iron storage proteins such as ferritin that are amorphous in the absence of metal ions but form globular structures once metals are bound. 

Paasche E. (1999) Reduced coccolith calcite production under Ught-lirrrited growth a comparative study of three clones of Emiliania huxleyi (Prytrmesiophyceae). Phycologia 38, 508-516. 

Bell M. V. and Pond D. (1996) Lipid composition during growth of motile and coccolith forms of Emiliania huxleyi. Phytochemistry 41, 465 -471. 

Paasche E. (2002) A review of the coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi (Prymnesiophyceae) with particular reference to growth, coccolith formation, and calcification-photosynthesis interactions. Phycologia 40, 503-529. 

Two types of binding site for Ca + ions have been recognized in an acidic polysaccharide from the coccoliths of Emiliania huxleyi One of them has a low affinity for Ca + ions and is possibly associated with the hexuronic acid residues, whereas the other unidentified site exhibits a high affinity for Ca + ions. 

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