Question

What is Mother - of – pearl?
A. A hard iridescent substance forms the inner layers of shells.
B. A special large size pad found in japan.
C. An oyster which yields the pearl.
D. A title given to Queen Victoria on becoming the Empress of India.

Answer 1

It is also known as Nacre. It is strong, resilient, and iridescent. It is an organic-inorganic composite material. It is used to make buttons and jewellery. It is created from a composite material called Nacre produced by some molluscs, such as oysters and it also makes up the outer coating of pearls. It is composed of aragonite which makes it tough and hard.

Complete answer:
Mother–of–pearl is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer. It is a hard, resilient, and iridescent substance. It is also a material of which pearls are composed. It is called Mother – – pearl because when an irritant penetrates the protective shell of a mollusc, the molluscs get to work. To protect itself from intrusion, the molluscs secrets the only material in its disposal called Nacre. This Nacre is called a Mother of pearl. About $95\%$of nacre composition is aragonite, tiny aragonite hexagonal plate’s combined with conchiolin in arranged and alternating layers, over the time it keeps adding the layer that builds up into a tough layer.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Additional Information:
The name Mother of pearl comes from the Latin term mater Belarus. The most common source of this material is abalone and pearl oyster. Mother-of-pearl can be found with different colours like blue, green, white, grey silver but most beautiful is produced by abalone which is vivid purple in colours and highly prized. The nacre is secreted by the oyster to protect itself from parasites and foreign objects. It is commonly believed that mother pearls bring prosperity, positivity. It provides motherly protection from negative energy. It is used in making antique jewellery, musical instruments, and buttons. It is effective in preventing much illness and boosting immunity.

Note:
Mother of pearl is also called Nacre which is an organic-inorganic composite material. It is a hard, resilient, iridescent substance that forms the inner layer of the shell. It is a blend of material that is secreted by oysters and molluscs and deposited inside the shells, coating and protecting them from parasites and other foreign substances. Then Nacre's main composition is Aragonite, a hard but brittle calcium carbonate material, yet Nacre is 3000 tougher than Aragonite. Mother of pearl mainly used in making antique jewellery, jewellery, and musical instruments.