Cryptobiosis

A state of extreme metabolic inactivity where an organism suspends its life processes, allowing it to survive extreme environmental conditions.

Anhydrobiosis

A specific type of cryptobiosis where organisms lose almost all water from their bodies, entering a dormant state to endure desiccation.

Tun state

Both anyhdrobiosis and cryptobiosis result in the emergence of a durable shrunken state called tun

Tardigrades produce which protein

cytoplasmic abundant heat soluble (CAHS) proteins

What do CAHS proteins do

They form a gel like matrix with the cells, vitrifying and protecting essential cellular coponents during desiccation to stabilize cellular structures.

how will scientists take tardigrades in space

in state of tun before reviving them and examining the effects of space radiation and microgravity

primary objective of this experiment

to identify the genes that are responsible for making these animals resilient. pinpoint the specific molecular machinery that enables tardigrades survival and DNA repair in space

have tardigrades been taken to space before?

european space agency’s foton-m3 mission

first animal?

first animal to survive exposure to space. before, animals only survived in the safety of space suit

extreme temperature

-272 to 150

radiation

uv

pressure

40,000 KPas (equivalent to depth of 4km under ocean surface

freeze

30 years

studying tardigrades will help in

developing cropsthat are more resilient to climate change and extreme conditions, advanced sunscreens, preserving human tissues for transplantation

timeline

400 million years before dinosaurs