Effects of microgravity and hypergravity on the cell: investigations on Paramecium tetraurelia

Acta Astronaut. 1988 Jan;17(1):147-50. doi: 10.1016/0094-5765(88)90140-3.

Abstract

Previous space CYTOS experiments have shown that space flights resulted in an increase in growth of Paramecia cultures. Microgravity is the major factor responsible of this response: indeed the stimulatory effect disappeared in inflight cultures placed on a 1 g centrifuge aboard the Spacelab. On the other hand, exposure to different levels of hypergravity on Earth resulted in an opposite response, i.e. to a reduced cell growth rate. A possible mechanism of microgravity on paramecia is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Division
  • Centrifugation
  • Hypergravity*
  • Paramecium tetraurelia / cytology
  • Paramecium tetraurelia / growth & development*
  • Space Flight*
  • Weightlessness*