SAEDNEWS: Tardigrades, Also Known as Water Bears, Can Withstand Extreme Heat, Drought, and Even Radiation Despite Their Tiny Size
According to Saed News’ society section, citing Bartarinha, tardigrades—also known as moss piglets or “water bears”—may be tiny, but they can endure extreme heat, drought, and even radiation.
These microscopic creatures thrive in nearly every environment on Earth, from the deepest oceans to the driest deserts, and in conditions ranging from boiling temperatures to freezing cold. They are among nature’s greatest mysteries, able to survive in almost any harsh environment imaginable.
Despite their small size, tardigrades can withstand drastic temperature fluctuations and dangerous radiation, and they can even survive in the vacuum of space. This incredible resilience has driven scientists to study the remarkable structure of their bodies.
One of the tardigrade’s most astonishing abilities is its capacity to enter a state in which its metabolic processes essentially stop, allowing it to endure until conditions are favorable again.
Tardigrades also possess unique proteins and genes that protect them against extreme temperatures, pressure, and harmful radiation. Another key to their survival is their exoskeleton, which acts as a shield against external threats.
Researchers have identified special proteins in tardigrades, such as Dsup (Damage suppressor), which protect their DNA from radiation-induced damage. Understanding this protective mechanism could prove valuable in developing cancer therapies or safeguarding humans in environments with dangerous radiation.
