1. Home
    2. Journals
    3. Journal of Biosciences
    4. Volume 36
    5. Issue 5

    • Fulltext

       

        Click here to view fulltext PDF


      Permanent link:
      https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/jbsc/036/05/0897-0910

    • Keywords

       

      Araneae; egg case; mechanical property of silk; Nephila; spider silk

    • Abstract

       

      The silk egg case and orb web of spiders are elaborate structures that are assembled from a number of components. We analysed the structure, the amino acid and fibre compositions, and the tensile properties of the silk fibres of the egg case of Nephila clavata. SEM shows that the outer and inner covers of the egg case consist of thick, medium and thin silk fibres. The silk fibres of the outer cover of the egg case are probably produced by the major and minor ampullate glands. The silk fibres of the inner cover of the egg case from cylindrical glands appears to be distinct from the silk fibres of the major ampullate glands based on their micro-morphology, mole percent amino acid composition and types, and tensile behaviour and properties. Collectively, our investigations show that N. clavata uses silk fibres from relatively few glands in varying combinations to achieve different physical and chemical properties (e.g., color, diameter, morphology and amino acid composition) and functional and mechanical properties in the different layers of the egg case.

    • Author Affiliations

       

      Ping Jiang1 Cong Guo2 Taiyong Lv1 Yonghong Xiao1 Xinjun Liao1 Bing Zhou1

      1. College of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an, Jiangxi 343009, China
      2. Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China

    • Dates

       
      Published
      December 2011
      Manuscript received
      10 December 2009
      Accepted
      10 October 2011
      Early published
      14 November 2011

  • Journal of Biosciences | News

      Forthcoming Special issue.


    • To trigger further research on plant mitochondria, the Journal of Biosciences is bringing out a special issue titled "Plant Mitochondria: Properties and Interactions with Other Organelles".


      Plant mitochondria are quite distinct and have unique features, such as a cyanide-insensitive alternate pathway. They also interact with chloroplasts to optimize photosynthetic carbon assimilation.


      Submissions are welcome until 30 July 2023. The contributions can be original articles, short communications, reviews, or mini-reviews on any topic related to plant mitochondria.


      Authors can submit their articles online at https://www.editorialmanager.com/jbsc/default2.aspx

      Posted on April 12, 2023
      <

    • Editorial Note on Continuous Article Publication

      Posted on July 25, 2019

      Click here for Editorial Note on CAP Mode

© 2022-2023 Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru.

Contact | Site index