Under pressure, these tablets slide against one another. That sliding spreads out the force, diffusing energy that might otherwise shatter the shell. Simply put, nacre is very efficient at stopping ...

The oyster or mussel slowly secretes layers of aragonite and conchiolin, materials that also make up its shell. This creates a material called nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, which encases the ...

To reduce irritation, the mollusk coats the intruder with the same secretion it uses for shell-building, nacre. To culture freshwater mussels, workers slightly open their shells, cut small slits ...

By secreting layers of aragonite and conchiolin, the same substances that are in its calcium carbonate shell, the mollusc creates a material called nacre, commonly known as mother-of-pearl. The oyster ...