Pre-apatitic mineral deposition in Bacterionema matruchotii.

A preliminary examination of calcification of Bacterionema matruchotii was undertaken to provide a base-line for future kinetic and mechanistic studies. Specific ion ratios were correlated with crystallography and ultrastructure. Observations include: three consistent X-ray diffraction patterns; no resolution of cellular EMP by electron microscopy; increasing Ca/Mg, Ca/P during calcification.