Coccosphere

/ˈkɒkəsfɪər/ noun

Definition

The spherical or roughly spherical arrangement of coccoliths that form the complete protective shell of a coccolithophore.

Etymology

From coccus (berry) plus sphere (Greek sphaira, globe). The term describes how individual coccolith plates fit together like a geometric puzzle.

Kelly Says

Coccospheres are like microscopic suits of armor made of thousands of interlocking crystal plates—so precisely engineered that materials scientists are using them as models for bulletproof vests.

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