Multiple choice general knowledge sports

A pearl can be produced naturally by almost any shelled mollusk. What triggers the process of pearl formation?

  1. Pheromones

  2. Changes in the chemical composition of the water

  3. Irritant particles

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Pearl formation is triggered when irritant particles (such as parasites, debris, or implanted beads in cultured pearls) enter the mollusk's shell. The mollusk secretes nacre (mother-of-pearl) to coat the irritant, layer by layer, creating the pearl. Pheromones are chemical signals between organisms, not related to pearl formation. Water chemistry changes don't directly trigger pearl formation - it's the physical irritant that matters.

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