Your Inner Fish

by

Neil Shubin

Hydroxyapatite Term Analysis

A mineral made partially of calcium that gives teeth and bones their strength.
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Hydroxyapatite Term Timeline in Your Inner Fish

The timeline below shows where the term Hydroxyapatite appears in Your Inner Fish. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4: Teeth Everywhere
History of Life  Theme Icon
Understanding Complex Concepts Through Simple Analogies Theme Icon
...are one of the most common finds for paleontologists, because an easily-preserved hard mineral called hydroxyapatite makes up much of the outer layer of the tooth. Teeth are especially helpful for... (full context)
Similarities Between All Animals Theme Icon
History of Life  Theme Icon
...are compared to other organs. The mineral that makes the outermost layer of teeth extra-hard, hydroxyapatite, is also found in lower concentrations in bones and the inner layers of the teeth.... (full context)
Similarities Between All Animals Theme Icon
Understanding Complex Concepts Through Simple Analogies Theme Icon
...teeth in order to break through the hard exoskeletons of potential prey. Once animals developed hydroxyapatite-rich teeth, the mechanism for creating hard structures out of hydroxyapatite then became a method of... (full context)
Chapter 7: Adventures in Bodybuilding
Understanding Complex Concepts Through Simple Analogies Theme Icon
...are tightly packed together while others are separated. Where cells are separated, minerals such as hydroxyapatite help give bones strength when they are compressed. In the gaps, a ropelike bundle of... (full context)