It is known that when humans stay in space for a long period of time, their muscles become thin and their bones become brittle, but research groups such as Okayama University, Tohoku University, and Hagoromo University of International Studies have reviewed the mechanism by which animals and plants sense gravity. I summarized the paper.
According to Okayama University, researchers from Saitama University, Yamaguchi University, Nagoya University, National Cardiovascular Center, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Shinshu University, and Institute of Physical and Chemical Research also participated in the research group.
Plants can grow their roots downwards and their stems upwards on the ground without the stimulation of light.It has been found that this is done by the cells of plants sensing gravity and transmitting information within and between cells.
It has been clarified that even animal cells have something in common with plants, such as the function of a protein called actin that forms the cytoskeleton of the mechanism that senses the physical stimulus of gravity.It has come to be considered that the cause of muscle and bone weakening in the universe is also the gravity sensing function in each tissue.
When humans stay in space for a long period of time, the effects of weightlessness make their muscles thin and their bones brittle, but the mechanism has not been fully elucidated.The research group believes that further research will lead to the discovery of measures to solve muscle atrophy and bone loss that occur in long-term space life.
Paper information:[NPJ Microgravity] Gravity sensing in plant and animal cells
