EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Silk is obtained from cocoon(pupa, chrysalis) of Bombyx mori which is the mulberry silkworm. Caterpillar of these silkworms feeds on mulberry leaves, it’s salivary gland secretes liquid silk. The salivary gland (labial gland) is modified forming the silk gland of the larva. Silk is obtained from the cocoon.

Detailed explanation-2: -In commercial use, silk is almost entirely limited to filaments from the cocoons of domesticated silkworms (caterpillars of several moth species belonging to the genus Bombyx).

Detailed explanation-3: -Eri silkworm cocoons (E cocoons) are natural composite biopolymers formed by continuous twin silk filaments (fibroin) bonded by sericin. As a kind of wild species, E cocoons have characteristics different from those of Bombyx mori cocoons (B cocoons).

Detailed explanation-4: -Silk is obtained from the cocoons of silkworms by the process of reeling. On the other hand, shearing is the process of removing the fleece of sheep to obtain wool fibres.

Detailed explanation-5: -Silkworms produce pupa by feeding on mulberry leaves. To keep itself alive during the pupa stage, the silkworm weaves a net around itself. After that, it swings its head, spinning a protein fibre that eventually turns into silk.