This spider weaves the strongest web. What's his secret?
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The Web is probably one of the most amazing materials on the planet. Just think — some species of spiders it is stronger than steel, able to greatly expand and has antibacterial properties. Not surprisingly, scientists from all over the world are trying as much detail as possible to examine its structure in order to produce a reliable armor and use it . The most durable in the world wide web weaves the so-called Darwinian spider (Caerostris darwini), and scientists still could not understand how he creates such amazing material. This mystery is finally revealed.
Scientists have long noticed that the web spiders of Darwin's two times stronger than the web of other species of arthropods. Its strength is particularly noticeable when you try to break the threads in the process, they are strongly stretched, and if the length of the web at rest was equal to two meters, when stretched, it increases to four meters. It was clear that the composition of the web of Darwin's spiders has an additional element, but which, until now was unknown.
Little spider
First is to tell about the Darwin spider. It was opened in 2001 in Madagascar, but detailed scientific description gaining in 2009. It so happened that the time of the official recognition of the spider, a new species coincided with the 150 anniversary from the date of the first publication of the book "Origin of species" in which English naturalist Charles Darwin said his theory of evolution. That is why new species of spider was named "Darwin".
Darwin spider (Caerostris darwini)
By Themselves, these spiders are very small — length of females up to 18 mm, and body length of males is about 6 millimeters. They usually spin webs over rivers and eventually they get sticky and durable net for catching insects. The diameter of this mesh sometimes is 2.8 meters, and the length of one thread can reach 25 meters.
By the Way, some species of spiders .
the Most durable material
To find out what makes the Darwin web spiders such strength, scientists have learned from their cell bodies, which are responsible for its production. Since the web is essentially a protein fiber, its composition, surprisingly, has been found proteins called MaSp1 and MaSp2. They are a part of the web almost all spiders, but the strands of Darwinian creatures was discovered an additional protein MaSp4. It contains many of the so-called Proline, which is responsible for the ability of materials to stretch — this is one of the reasons for the strength of the web.
Durable Darwinian web spider
In Addition, scientists have found another feature of the Darwin spiders that enable them . Unlike other species of spiders, they have a longer spinning organs, which allow the protein fibers to bond with one another stronger and smoother. Thanks ordered and dense structure, this web becomes as durable and does not lose its flexibility.
Spider silk
Now, revealing the secret of lasting wide web, scientists can create synthetic spider silk, suitable for use in bullet-proof vests and medical equipment. It is noteworthy that spider silk was discovered in ancient China and at the moment the price of one square meter of this material is worth more than $ 500,000. The new discovery will not only reduce the cost of spider silk, but will give him additional strength.
Here's something interesting: Wasps turn spiders into zombies.
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