Emily+Yao+RP+Post+7

Most recent working title: Tardigrades: the travelers of space

Source: [|__http://www.wired.com/2014/03/absurd-creature-week-water-bear/__] Source Title: Absurd Creature of the Week: The Incredible Critter That’s Tough Enough to Survive in Space Source Author: Matt Simon

Summary: There exists creatures called tardigrade, also known as "water bears" "because it looks like an adorable little many-legged bear." But what makes it special is that it won't die. "Go ahead and boil it, freeze it, irradiate it, and toss it into the vacuum of space." Tardigrades are able to withstand such tests partially due to its ability to dehydrate itself and turn itself into a husk. Scientist were baffled and curious to know why such carefree creatures like tardigrades would have evolved such unusual capabilities. But, ironically, tardigrades are difficult to grow in the lab, with very few scientists have figured out how to do so.  Common sense seems to dictate that tardigrades should fall under the "extremophile" category since they have such uncanny abilities. But scientists are not very comfortable with that descriptor as tardigrades are usually found living peacefully on moss and such, which is not really extreme and so should not be classified as an "extremophile" since they do not seek out harsh environments. That being said, scientist constantly debate among themselves on what to actually classify tardigrades. Some temperatures that water bears have endured are simply inconceivable. For example, they have gone through 1 Kelvin, and came out completely unscathed! That is a negative 458 degrees Fahrenheit where even atoms come to a near standstill. Tardigrades have been able to demonstrate that they are capable of going into space and coming back alive and well, even though space is the most inhospitable environment possible.

Works Cited: Simon, Matt. "Absurd Creature of the Week: The Incredible Critter That’s Tough Enough to Survive in Space." Wired.com. Conde Nast Digital, 19 Mar. 2014. Web. 04 June 2014.