noun
- a mineral substance produced or deposited by a living organism, such as calcium carbonate in shells or hydroxyapatite in bones
Usage: technical; biology/geology
Examples
- Pearls are biominerals formed when oysters coat irritants with layers of nacre.
- The skeleton of a sea urchin is composed of biominerals made of calcite.
- Biominerals in tooth enamel provide strength and protection to teeth.
- Corals build their reefs using biominerals secreted from their tissues.
- Scientists study biominerals to understand how organisms control mineral formation.