In this Chapter, we will present an overview of this very broad topic on how gravity shapes the structure and function of terrestrial life, from the microbiota to invertebrate and some amphibian species, and its action on selected population of vertebrate cell lines. It necessarily cannot be an all-inclusive review due to the vast amount of information gathered from these diverse domains of biological life on Earth.

    Of all the environmental factors under which a terrestrial organism has been exposed in the course of its evolution, only gravity has stayed constant. Predation, climate, vegetation, and terrestrial or aquatic habitation, for example, have changed, but the intensity and direction of gravity have not. The organism’s ability to detect gravity and to live under a gravitational load is critical for its survival. Even rudimentary ciliated protozoa display positive or negative geotaxis. Fossil evidence shows that the elaborate sensory structures used to sense the acceleration forces are remarkably conserved among vertebrates (Stensiö 1927). Although less is available in the fossil record on invertebrate neurosensory structures, most if not all invertebrate species can orient their bodies’ axis with respect to gravity.


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    Title :

    Space Biology (Cells to Amphibians)



    Published in:

    Handbook of Bioastronautics ; Chapter : 39 ; 205-217


    Publication date :

    2021-08-17


    Size :

    13 pages




    Type of media :

    Article/Chapter (Book)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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