Space, the most mysterious and unexplored part of our universe. Whatever occurs outside of earth’s atmosphere we call it space, and is home to millions and millions of celestial bodies. Temperatures ranging from sub zero to millions degree Celsius, absence of atmosphere, very high and low pressures, etc are few characteristics of this.
But can we really survive these harsh
conditions??.....Of course not, if we are exposed in space we will eventually
die due to no oxygen, or may shrink into a ball due to high pressures, may get
even torn apart. But there is one super creature, who can even survive in
space.
It even survived the K-T event about 66 million years ago which caused extinction of dinosaurs. It is estimated that this animal has been roaming earth since 600 million years.
Tardigrades a.k.a. water bears are such super species that have managed to survive even in the harshest conditions over the time of evolution. They are present from the deepest of oceans to the tallest of mountains As long as it has food available it can survive any condition, all thanks to cryptobiosis, a state where it dies to survive.
What??... You need to die to survive?...not really.
It is the state where the animals metabolic rate is so low(almost 0.01% of
normal levels), like it’s almost dead. We say that it has turned into a tun state.
In cold temperatures, this state prevents the growth of ice crystals.
They also have another defence for when they are in water. When the water they live in is low on oxygen, they will stretch out and allow their metabolic rate to reduce. In this state, their muscles absorb oxygen and water well enough that they can survive. In drought like conditions they lose almost but 3% of their water..
In fact they dry themselves up with lower metabolism. They can stay in this state for decades when they get contacted with water they again regain life, just as we use dehydrated onions. Their space surviving abilities are the main aspect which distinguishes them from other animals.
Some believe that their origin is extra
terrestrial. Even temperatures up to 150 degrees Celsius and as low
as -235 degrees C(just above absolute zero) won't spell the creature's doom.
SPACE RADIATIONS?
Space is not just fatal because of the temepratures and pressures, there are numerous harmful radiations which will penetrate in your cells and permanently damage the DNA. The biggest concern regarding this is the formation of reactive oxygen species due to radiations.
These molecules roam throughout the body to cause all harm. Surprisingly Tardigrades in their tun state generate abnormal amount of anti-oxidants, which effectively neutralize those roaming, evil reactive oxygen species.
You say any condition, boil them, freeze them, throw them into space, Tardigrades have evolved to survive. We can
call it a beast when it comes to survival.
Due to above remarkable survival
ability, this creature has always been a keen interest for researchers.
CONCLUSION
Tardigrades are one of the few species that have survived even the harshest of conditions. Due to this, they have always been in the interest of space researchers. It may happen that using their techniques we might be able to store humans for decades, and revive them again.
Does this mean time travel?? Because even after decades of storage , the
age of the body will still remain the same. Will this make us
immortal??....Well, this is an area yet to be researched more, but one can
expect similar results.
