Biomineralization of calcium carbonate: structural aspects

We analyze the observed structural distinctions between calcium carbonate crystals of biogenic and non-biogenic origin in terms of interaction between organic macromolecules and growing mineral. We conclude that rather strong forces are imposed by organic macromolecules on mineral crystallites, which cause lattice strains of about 0.2%. According to the developed model, these strains arise primarily throughout the amorphous-crystalline phase transformation at early stages of biomineralization.