Metazoans use silicon traces but rarely develop extensive silica skeletons, except for the
early-diverging lineage of sponges. The mechanisms underlying metazoan silicification …

Biomineralization processes are characterized by controlled deposition of inorganic
polymers/minerals mediated by functional groups linked to organic templates. One …

The enzymatic-silicatein mediated formation of the skeletal elements, the spicules of
siliceous sponges starts intracellularly and is completed extracellularly. With Suberites …

The two sponge classes, Hexactinellida and Demospongiae, comprise a skeleton that is
composed of siliceous skeletal elements (spicules). Spicule growth proceeds by …

Most forms of multicellular life have developed a calcium‐based skeleton, while only a few
specialized organisms complement their body plan with silica, such as sponges (phylum …

Although widespread in nature, the biomineralisation processes of silica formation by living
organisms are still poorly understood. Recent advances in the elucidation of biosilicification …

For hundreds of years, the skeletal elements of marine and freshwater sponges have
intrigued investigators with a diverse array of remarkably complex morphologies. Early …

Formation of highly symmetric skeletal elements in demosponges, called spicules, follows a
unique biomineralization mechanism in which polycondensation of an inherently disordered …

The synthesis of siliceous spicules in sponges (phylum Porifera) is unique in the metazoan
kingdom. This form of biomineralization, which results in the formation of polymerized …

Sponges (phylum Porifera) of the class of Demospongiae are stabilized by a siliceous
skeleton. It is composed of silica needles (spicules), which provide the morphogenetic …