Figure 7
From: Nanoanalytical electron microscopy of events predisposing to mineralisation of turkey tendon
Schematic showing the evolution of mineral based on various mineralisation studies. (A) A non-mineralised fibril. (B) The mineral ions are delivered into the collagen matrix either as vesicles/clusters of amorphous calcium phosphate, which dissolve and release the ions, or free ions are transported in the body fluids. (C) Mineral ions start to aggregate forming mineral granules in the gap regions. The periodic banding contrast starts to reverse. (D) Mineral granules crystallise into aligned crystals inside, and outside, the fibril. During development some of the extrafibrillar crystals may lose their alignment and rearrange into disorganised clusters.
