Question

How is silk fiber obtained from the cocoon?

Answer 1

Silk fiber:

1. Silk which is composed of fibroin protein is a natural fiber.
2. It is an animal fiber because it is obtained from insect larvae.
3. The best quality silk fiber is obtained from the larvae of the mulberry silkworm which is known as Bombyx mori.
4. The process of rearing silkworms for obtaining silk is called sericulture.

Formation of silk fiber from the cocoon:

1. The first step to b followed during the formation of silk fibers is the collection of the cocoon.
2. After being collected the cocoon is either boiled or kept under the sun so the silk fiber gets separated from it.
3. This process of separating the silk fiber from the cocoon is called the reeling of the silk.
4. The next step to be followed is spinning the silk fiber to make the yarn out of the threads of the silk.
5. In the last step the obtained silk threads are woven to form various types of clothes.

Figure showing the life cycle of a silkworm: