2006-12-19 05:54:34 · 10 answers · asked by Barb 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
No, the shell itself is the product of a secretion.
They are similar to fingernails or hair.
2006-12-19 06:04:15 · answer #1 · answered by Johnny A 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The shell itself is made of nonliving mineral matter, but it was produced by a living organism, a mollusk of one kind or another. The shell is truly a part of the animal, not just its "home". The mollusk produces the shell using a special organ called the mantle, which extracts minerals from sea water and deposits them in the form of mineral salts, mostly calcium carbonate. In this way the shell is gradually enlarged as the animal grows, and remains with it until it dies. No mollusk ever leaves its shell while it is alive. It cannot do so. It is attached to the inside of shell by muscles.
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2006-12-19 16:03:52 · answer #2 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Are your toe nail clippings alive? No.
The organisms living inside or that used to live inside the shells were alive. But not seashells. (Ièm assuming the ones you pick up in the sand on the beach right?
2006-12-19 06:02:57 · answer #3 · answered by mellybee4321 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not the ones you find along the shore--at least not most of them. If they are closed tightly, then they're usually alive (well, the animal inside the shell is alive). But if they are open and empty, then the animal is gone. The shell is just mostly calcium, not alive itself.
2006-12-19 06:02:11 · answer #4 · answered by danika1066 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
If you find a loose piece with no animal in it then no, but if you find it with some kind of animal like an oyster with the fleshy part inside then yea its alive.
2006-12-19 06:02:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
The creatures that lived in them were.
2006-12-19 06:03:25 · answer #6 · answered by kate 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
yes if there is a creature inside like a crab. and then oyster's make pearl's...
2006-12-19 05:57:43 · answer #7 · answered by Candy 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
very strange question but no they are not alive
2006-12-19 05:57:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
no, but animals live or have lived in them.
2006-12-19 05:56:46 · answer #9 · answered by -- 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
No.
2006-12-19 05:57:26 · answer #10 · answered by kellykellykelly16 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋