Scientists reveal how spiders make their silk

Spider silk starts as a slushy mash of spidron proteins called 'dope.'

The silk ends up as a tightly woven strand of dehydrated proteins. But scientists couldn't figure out some of the in-between mechanisms.

Now, a team of researchers have published a paper in Science Advances elucidating the process for the first time.

The slush of spidrons get pushed through the spider’s innards, slowly losing water and assembling into an orderly line, according to the paper.

At some point before exiting the spider’s backside, the pH of the mixture drops, becoming more acidic, the study finds.

The acidification process allows the spidron proteins to lock together in a strong bond.