Presents the Friday Keck Center Teleconference*
Life at less than 9.8 m/sec/sec
Neal Pellis, Ph.D.,
Senior Scientist, Space Life Sciences Directorate
NASA Johnson Space Center
4:00 pm Friday
Oct. 26th , 2007
(Refreshments at 3:45)
5.521 Levin Hall
Abstract: As humans progress in the exploration of space and establish planetary outposts, terrestrial life will embark on a new phase of adaptation. Exploration of low gravity will subject humans, their microbial flora, and accompanying plants and animals to the novel stimulus of low gravity. During the 4+ billion years of evolution of terrestrial life there has not experienced sustained hypogravity on Earth. Therefore, it is unlikely that terrestrial life has refined suites of response elements to microgravity and the low gravity of nearby planets. In humans, we understand an initial set of risks that include bone loss, muscle deconditioning, cardiovascular changes, nutritional challenges, digestive tract performance, neurovestibular disturbances, slowly declining immunity, and space radiation for which there are requirements for countermeasures, preventative strategies, and treatments for all the phases of space exploration. Effects are evident from the cellular level through tissues and organ systems, to the organismal level. Like wise protists, fungi, and unicellular to complex plants are effected by a diminution of the gravitational force. Investigation of the life response likely will reveal novel mechanisms in the adaptational process and provide insight into the characteristics that may attend life forms originating extraterrestrially. Reducing the risks to humans in space exploration is paramount, but the opportunity to investigate terrestrial life adaptation to low gravity will open new vistas in biology.
