Published February 1975
| public
Journal Article
Amorphous, hydrous, ferric phosphatic dermal granules in Molpadia (Holothuroidea): Physical and chemical characterization and ecologic implications of the bioinorganic fraction
- Creators
- Lowenstam, Heinz A.
-
Rossman, George R.
Abstract
The bioinorganic fraction of the dermal granules of Molpadia intermedia from a wide variety of habitats has been studied by chemical analysis, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, visible and infrared spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility. It was found to have many similarities to polynuclear iron(III) proteins. Silica was found to be an integral component of the granules. The proportions of the major elements, P and Si, were found to vary with habitat as well as the minor elements, Ca and Mg, whereas the Fe content remained relatively constant. Models are proposed for the microstructure of the granules and the processes of their growth.
Additional Information
© 1975 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company. Received September 5, 1974; revised and accepted January 31, 1975. Drs. F.R. Bernard, A.G. Carey Jr., R. Kolpack, F.H. Nichols, and Captain F.C. Ziesenhenne generously contributed samples to this study. This Biologic Station, Nanaimo, B.C., of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada gave permission to include specimens in our investigation, which were submitted to R.S. Carney for identification. The Allan Hancock Foundation, U.S.C., and the Oceanography Department of the University of Washington provided ship time for collecting live material. Mr. R.S. Carney was most helpful in identifying specimens, discussing taxonomic, biogeographic and ecologic aspects of this species and, together with Dr. B. Hansen, provided literature references. Dr. J.P. Revel made available the scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope in his laboratory. Dr. J. Vinograd allowed the use of his ultracentrifuge. S. Weiner obtained the amino acid in Dr. Leroy Hood's laboratory and carried out the thermogravometric analyses and the SEM micrographs, and D.A. Powers obtained the low-temperature, magnetic susceptibility data. A.A. Chodos performed the electron microprobe analyses, and P.F. Koen prepared the microtome sections and obtained the TEM micrographs of the ultrastructure of the material. M. Dekkers skillfully extracted pure samples and made valuable observations on their physical appearance. B. Bingham obtained the X-ray diffraction data. Financial support was provided by the National Science Foundation Grant GA 36824X1.Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 37958
- DOI
- 10.1016/0009-2541(75)90011-X
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20130416-084038025
- GA 36824X1
- NSF
- Created
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2013-04-16Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-09Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences