Functional adaptation
Liquid crystal forms byssal threads: Mediterranean mussel
"In marine mussels (Mytilus), byssal threads are made in minutes from prefabricated smectic polymer liquid crystals by a process resembling reaction injection molding. The mesogens in these arrays are known to be natural block copolymers with rodlike collagen cores." (Hassenkam et al. 2004:1351)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
Byssal threads of marine mussels form quickly via liquid crystal phase proteins.
"In marine mussels (Mytilus), byssal threads are made in minutes from prefabricated smectic polymer liquid crystals by a process resembling reaction injection molding. The mesogens in these arrays are known to be natural block copolymers with rodlike collagen cores." (Hassenkam et al. 2004:1351)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
- Hassenkam, T.; Gutsmann, T.; Hansma, P.; Sagert, J.; Waite, J. H. 2004. Giant Bent-Core Mesogens in the Thread Forming Process of Marine Mussels. Biomacromolecules. 5(4): 1351-1355.
- Lee H; Dellatore SM; Miller WM; Messersmith PB. 2007. Mussel-Inspired Surface Chemistry for Multifunctional Coatings. Science. 318(5849): 426.
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