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Microscopic Extremophiles

Short answer: Tardigrades, also called water bears or moss piglets, are microscopic animals usually about 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters long. In a dried-out state they can survive extreme heat and cold, radiation and even the vacuum of space.

They do this through cryptobiosis, losing almost all their water and slowing their metabolism to nearly undetectable levels. The footage shows tardigrades under a microscope.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about Microscopic Extremophiles?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. They are called water bears.

    DD-307-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Nicknames)

  2. Usually 0.3 to 0.5 mm long.

    DD-307-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Size)

Video transcript: Microscopic Extremophiles: Tardigrades Can Survive the Vacuum of Space

Tardigrades, often called water bears or moss piglets, are microscopic creatures known for their incredible resilience. Measuring only about 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters long, these tiny organisms can survive extreme conditions that would be fatal to most lifeforms, such as intense heat, freezing temperatures, radiation and even the vacuum of space. Tardigrades achieve this by entering a state called cryptobiosis, in which they lose almost all of their water content and slow down their metabolism to nearly undetectable levels! NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 27.4s Reel ·

Video coming soonMicroscopic Extremophiles · Instagram Reel
Microscopic Extremophiles: Tardigrades Can Survive the Vacuum of Space Instagram Reel · · 27.4s

The write-up

Tardigrades can survive the vacuum of space. They dry out and nearly stop their metabolism.

  1. Exhibit A

    Nicknames

    They are called water bears.

  2. Exhibit B

    Size

    Usually 0.3 to 0.5 mm long.

  3. Exhibit C

    Space

    They have survived space vacuum.

  4. Exhibit D

    Cryptobiosis

    They enter cryptobiosis.

  5. Exhibit E

    Metabolism

    Metabolism nearly stops.

Questions people ask about Microscopic Extremophiles

What are tardigrades called?

Also moss piglets.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Nicknames) · Wikipedia: Tardigrade

How long are they?

Microscopic.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Size) · Wikipedia: Tardigrade

What can they survive?

When dried out.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Space) · Wikipedia: Tardigrade

What is their survival state called?

Hidden life.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Cryptobiosis) · Wikipedia: Tardigrade; Wikipedia: Cryptobiosis

What do they lose?

They dry out.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Metabolism) · Wikipedia: Cryptobiosis

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What are tardigrades called?

    1. Water bears
    2. Sea mice
    3. Moss ants
    4. Dust lions
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Water bears Also moss piglets. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Nicknames) · Wikipedia: Tardigrade

  2. How long are they?

    1. About 0.3 to 0.5 mm
    2. About 3 cm
    3. About 1 m
    4. About 3 mm
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 0.3 to 0.5 mm Microscopic. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Size) · Wikipedia: Tardigrade

  3. What can they survive?

    1. Space vacuum
    2. Nothing extreme
    3. Only warm water
    4. Only darkness
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Space vacuum When dried out. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Space) · Wikipedia: Tardigrade

  4. What is their survival state called?

    1. Cryptobiosis
    2. Photosynthesis
    3. Mitosis
    4. Osmosis
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Cryptobiosis Hidden life. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Cryptobiosis) · Wikipedia: Tardigrade; Wikipedia: Cryptobiosis

  5. What do they lose?

    1. Almost all their water
    2. Their legs
    3. Their heads
    4. Their color
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Almost all their water They dry out. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Metabolism) · Wikipedia: Cryptobiosis

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Microscopic Extremophiles." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-307, last updated Aug 24, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/microscopic-extremophiles/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/microscopic-extremophiles/ · Last updated

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