Telaviv@
Spider silk
This light micrograph shows silk lines spun by an orb web spider,magnified 53 times.
The silk is secreted as a liquid from glands in the spider's abdomen, and hardens as it is drawn out trough the spinnerets.
A single threas is composed of several proteinaceous fibres, giving it strenght and elasticity. Each thread has a sticky outer coating, which helps trap prey.
The round beads seen here are made of a gum that helps to keep the silk sticky by showing down drying.
[from " Heaven & Earth " Phaidon] Spider silk
This light micrograph shows silk lines spun by an orb web spider,magnified 53 times.
The silk is secreted as a liquid from glands in the spider's abdomen, and hardens as it is drawn out trough the spinnerets.
A single threas is composed of several proteinaceous fibres, giving it strenght and elasticity. Each thread has a sticky outer coating, which helps trap prey.
The round beads seen here are made of a gum that helps to keep the silk sticky by showing down drying.
[from " Heaven & Earth " Phaidon]