From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
A
garden spider spinning its web. Silk can be seen coming from two spinnerets (click on image to view larger version).
A spinneret is a spider's silk-spinning organ. It is usually on the underside of a spider's abdomen, to the rear. Most spiders have six spinnerets; some have four or two. They move independently and in concert to build webs.
Spinneret also refers to a multi-pored device through which a plastic polymer melt is extruded to form fibers. Streams of viscous polymer usually exit into cool air or liquid to solidify.[1] The individual polymer chains tend to align because of viscous flow. This airstream liquid-to-fiber formation process is similar to the production process for cotton candy.
The discovery of spinnerets on the feet of the Aphonopelma seemanni) has led to questions about the origins of spinnerets. It has been hypothesised that spinnarets were originally used as climbing aids on the feet and evolved for webmaking at a later time.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Gorb, SN, Niederegger S, Hayashi CY, Summers AP, Votsch W, Walther P (Sep 28 2006). "Biomaterials: silk-like secretion from tarantula feet". Nature 443 (7110): 407. PMID 17006505. Retrieved on 2006-10-23.
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