Light microscope view of a zoom into the individual teeth on the radula of a European limpet (Patella vulgata), a type of sea snail. In 2015, it was announced that the teeth of a limpet are made of the strongest biomaterial ever found. The teeth are made up of a protein matrix reinforced with fibres of the mineral goethite, an iron oxyhydroxide. The tensile strength of the teeth was found to be 4.9 gigapascals (GPa), surpassing the 4GPa strength of spider silk. The limpet inhabits the intertidal zone, and uses its toothed radula to scrape algae from the rocks. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Davies, Andy |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Länge: | 20 Sekunden |
Seitenverhältnis: | 16:9 |
Restrictions: | - |