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Seashell Strength

20

Human homes and shells may have more in common than you think. Like most houses the structure of a shell is supported by interlocking bricks. Abalone seashells have two layers, the outside brittle part and an extra strong inner area that is made out of mother of pearl, called nacre. The nacre is made up of 95% chalk and is held together by 5% protein. This doesn’t sound very tough but when it is laid out in a brick pattern it is able to protect creatures from anything that might pierce the shell.

seashell strength

http://www.livescience.com/11696-seashells-strength-interlocking-bricks.html

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