Biology of spider silk

Studies are beginning to show that spider silk can be highly variable in ch emical composition and mechanical properties. Clearly, both external and in ternal conditions affect silk production and thus the mechanical properties of the finished thread. An argument can be made that silk is optimised for a wide range of conditions rather than maximised for strength or toughness . Moreover, it seems that the spider is able to induce rapid and temporary adaptations of silk properties. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.