Recognition before nucleation

Biomineralization Some algae have evolved a remarkable ability to grow ornate crystalline structures called coccoliths. These structures consist of an organic base plate and complex calcium carbonate minerals spreading outward. Gal et al. found that the algae control site-specific mineralization, not by interactions between the base plate and the growing mineral edge, but by directing large amounts of calcium to the base plate. Recognition between two organic constituents determines when and where crystal nucleation will take place. Science , this issue p. [590][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aaf7889