Summary:
Why MHBs are interesting:
- They likely affect the behavior and ecology of a large fraction of arthropods (e.g. pre-Zn leaf cutter ants don't use mandibles in leaf processing).
- Like other inorganic-based biomaterials, they may have played an important role in evolution.
- Unknown biochemistry: how can so much metal be bound to protein/chitin matrix?
- Mechanical properties: enhanced by nano-inclusions?
- May help us understand the different balance of mechanical properties needed for smaller organisms.