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Assessment of Programs in Space Biology and Medicine--1991 (1991) / Chapter Skim
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5. DEVELOPMENTAL AND CELL BIOLOGY
Pages 39-45

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From page 39...
... It is difficult to study the entire developmental process in a single organism, partly because of variable length in the life cycle. More importantly, different kinds of organisms exhibit diverse strategies for undertaking the complex processes associated with differentiation and organogenesis.
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From page 40...
... Those recommendations dealt with the necessity to acquire basic information on the ability of various organisms to undergo normal developmental processes in microgravity. Once the initial data base has been obtained, research strategies designed to evaluate the mechanism by which microgravity affects developmental processes need to include modern molecular approaches as well as the more classical techniques of developmental biology.
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From page 41...
... These experiments further documented an effect of radiation on developmental processes, including synergism between radiation and microgravity. At least two upcoming missions contain experiments concerned with the effects of microgravity on the development of selected organisms.
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From page 42...
... In short, the data base concerning the effects of microgravity on developmental processes remains almost nonexistent. Without question, the two major impediments to progress in developmental biology research have been, and remain, the low level of support for basic research in gravitational biology and extremely limited opportunities for access to space.
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From page 43...
... The most complete studies carried out on the D-1 mission indicated significant alterations in single cells from both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Thus, bacterial cells as well as cells of algae, slime mold, and protozoan organisms such as parameciums all grew more rapidly in space.
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From page 44...
... Major Goals The major scientific goal is to characterize effects of the space environment on human reproductive function; more generally, effects on mammalian reproductive function. This includes characterization of stress and the microgravity environment as evidenced by hormonal and physiological alterations, including possible hyperestrogenism to bone loss and behavioral aspects of gonadal failure (see Chapter 4, Behavior and Human Performance)
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From page 45...
... Lack of Progress Aside from the proposed experiment using mice, no additional studies in space have been indicated. There are no indications that NASA intends to monitor the reproductive status of crew members or that consideration has been given to issues of the potential effects of the space environment (microgravity and radiation)
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Key Terms

  • goldberg strategy
  • developmental processes
  • cell biology
  • space environment
  • human reproductive

  • reproductive function
  • cell function
  • gravitational biology
  • model organisms
  • complete life

  • microgravity environment
  • specific developmental
  • biology research
  • biology human
  • postnatal development

  • major advances
  • molecular approaches
  • using rats
  • experiment using
  • individual cells

  • reproductive status
  • using mice
  • research strategies
  • additional studies
  • viable gametes

  • reproductive hormone
  • biology initiative
  • developmental phenomena
  • space including
  • proposed space


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