Biomineralization

More info in Biomaterials.

• Biomineralization; When a biological creature makes a mineral.
• Bio-minerals = biogenic minerals
• Biomimetic materials: when we mimic biomineralaized materials

Substances

• Carbonates, Phosphates, Sulfates
• Cations can be Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Silicon
• CaCO3 in shell, CaPO4 in bones, FeO in magnets

Two fundamentl processes of bio-mineralization

Biologically induced mineralization:

• Segregation of constituent to react with species in environment.
• No control of type of bio-mineral formed

Biologically controlled mineralization:

• Organisms use cellular activities to direct nucleation, growth, morphology and final location of the mineral that is deposited.