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Calcium carbonate otoliths

Calcium carbonate otoliths coloured scanning electron micrograph

The utricle and saccule are inner-ear organs that sense gravity and linear movement. It is the presence of small crystals of calcium carbonate called otoliths that allows them to function.
This is a coloured scanning electron micrograph of crystals of calcium carbonate found in these inner-ear organs.

Glossary

Rights: Susumu Nishinaga/Science Photo Library
Published: 9 October 2012Size: 810.73 KB
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