The strongest biological material on Earth is the material found in the teeth of the common limpet.
For a long time, spider silk held the title of the strongest known biological material. However, recent discoveries have shown that it has been surpassed by a material produced by another invertebrate: the common limpet.
Limpets are marine snails that use a unique tooth-coated tongue, called a radula, to scrape algae off rocks for food. The material in these tiny teeth is incredibly tough and durable, allowing them to withstand the constant abrasion against hard surfaces.
Scientists have found that limpet teeth possess a tensile strength significantly greater than that of spider silk, making them the current record holder for the strongest biological substance.
Here's a quick comparison based on the reference:
| Material | Previous Status | Current Status | Produced by | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spider Silk | Strongest known biological material | Formerly strongest | Spiders | Web building, prey capture, etc. |
| Common Limpet Teeth | Not widely recognized as strongest | Strongest biological material | Common Limpet (radula) | Scraping algae from rocks (feeding) |
Understanding these incredibly strong natural materials could lead to the development of new, high-performance synthetic materials for various applications, from engineering to medicine.
