A scientific article published in the journal “PLOS ONE” presents a fascinating discovery about tardigrades, tiny organisms ranging from 0.2 to 1.2 mm in size. Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are known for their ability to survive in extreme conditions such as extreme temperatures, high pressure, and lack of water. Scientists from Marshall University and the University of North Carolina have discovered that small molecular sensors in tardigrade cells allow them to respond to an excess of harmful molecules called free radicals.
Instead of quoting scientists, let’s familiarize ourselves with this fascinating process. When tardigrades detect an excess of free radicals, they enter a state of hibernation, which protects them from damage. Researchers conducted experiments exposing tardigrades to high levels of hydrogen peroxide, sugar, salt, and very low temperatures. By inducing the organisms into a hibernation state, they observed the formation of atoms and molecules of free radicals. This is understandable, as normal metabolic processes and environmental factors can generate free radicals in cells.
Free radicals are harmful to cells because they damage DNA and proteins by stealing electrons from their surroundings. However, scientists have discovered that the signaling system between free radicals and a key component of proteins called cysteine plays a significant role in the survival mechanism of tardigrades. The oxidation of cysteine leads to changes in the structure and function of proteins, signaling the entry into a hibernation state. This is a type of stress response.
Although much remains to be understood about this mechanism, scientists are fascinated by this discovery. The survival mechanism of tardigrades may have applications in various fields, such as aging research and space travel, which involve the presence of harmful free radicals affecting cellular mechanisms. Furthermore, the similarities in survival mechanisms between tardigrades and fruit flies indicate that these discoveries may have broader significance in the world of biology.
Researchers plan to continue their studies to understand other survival strategies of tardigrades and their interactions with free radicals. This discovery may contribute to furthering our knowledge of organism survival in extreme conditions and provide valuable insights into the functions of free radicals in biology.
FAQ:
Q: What are tardigrades?
A: Tardigrades are tiny organisms ranging from 0.2 to 1.2 mm in size. They are known for their ability to survive in extreme conditions such as extreme temperatures, high pressure, and lack of water.
Q: What discovery was presented in the article?
A: The article presents a discovery about small molecular sensors in tardigrade cells that allow them to respond to an excess of harmful molecules called free radicals.
Q: How do tardigrades respond to an excess of free radicals?
A: When tardigrades detect an excess of free radicals, they enter a state of hibernation, which protects them from damage.
Q: What experiments were conducted in the research?
A: Researchers exposed tardigrades to high levels of hydrogen peroxide, sugar, salt, and very low temperatures to observe the formation of atoms and molecules of free radicals.
Q: Why are free radicals harmful to cells?
A: Free radicals damage DNA and proteins by stealing electrons from their surroundings, which is harmful to cells.
Q: What role does cysteine play in the survival mechanism of tardigrades?
A: The signaling system between free radicals and cysteine, a key component of proteins, plays a significant role in the survival mechanism of tardigrades. The oxidation of cysteine leads to changes in the structure and function of proteins, signaling the entry into a hibernation state.
Q: What applications can the discovery about tardigrade survival mechanism have?
A: The survival mechanism of tardigrades can have applications in various fields, such as aging research and space travel, which involve the presence of harmful free radicals affecting cellular mechanisms.
Q: What are the future plans of the researchers regarding this discovery?
A: Researchers plan to continue their studies to understand other survival strategies of tardigrades and their interactions with free radicals.
Glossary:
– Tardigrades: Tiny organisms ranging from 0.2 to 1.2 mm in size that have the ability to survive in extreme conditions.
– Extreme conditions: Conditions characterized by extreme temperatures, high pressure, and lack of water.
– Free radicals: Harmful molecules that damage DNA and proteins by stealing electrons from their surroundings.
– Cysteine: A key component of proteins that plays a role in the survival mechanisms of tardigrades by undergoing oxidation and signaling the entry into a hibernation state.
Related Resources:
– Marshall University
– University of North Carolina
The source of the article is from the blog agogs.sk