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Cryptobiosis as a survival strategy [1]

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Date: 2023-07-31

Cryptobiosis

According to the University of Hawai‘i,

Cryptobiosis is a state of extreme inactivity in response to adverse environmental conditions. In the cryptobiotic state, all metabolic procedures stop, preventing reproduction, development, and repair.

Weird Science

Yeast, bacteria, tardigrades, brine shrimp, nematodes, and some Republicans can enter into states of cryptobiosis. Humans generally do not exhibit cryptobiosis. Researchers are working on a technique called Emergency Preservation and Resuscitation (EPR) to make it happen.

In this technique, the blood is replaced with cold saline fluid, which decreases the body temperature by 10°. This, in turn, reduces the oxygen requirement of the body and provides doctors more time to cure severe injuries. After this process, the fluid is replaced with blood and the body warms up.

Cryptobiosis: Types, Animal and Human Cryptobiosis

Recently, scientists have have discovered a previously unknown species of roundworm that managed to survive 46,000 years frozen in the Siberian permafrost.

A worm that survived 46,000 years in permafrost wows scientists

There are several types of cryptobiosis, the most common include:

Anhydrobiosis (lack of water): This is the most common type of cryptobiosis. Organisms that undergo anhydrobiosis are able to survive desiccation, or drying out. This is done by producing special proteins that protect the cell membranes and other cellular structures from damage. Examples of organisms that can undergo anhydrobiosis include tardigrades, nematodes, and brine shrimp.

(lack of water): This is the most common type of cryptobiosis. Organisms that undergo anhydrobiosis are able to survive desiccation, or drying out. This is done by producing special proteins that protect the cell membranes and other cellular structures from damage. Examples of organisms that can undergo anhydrobiosis include tardigrades, nematodes, and brine shrimp. Cryobiosis (low temperature): Some organisms are able to survive freezing temperatures by entering a state of cryptobiosis. This is done by producing special proteins that prevent the formation of ice crystals inside the cells. Examples of organisms that can undergo cryobiosis include tardigrades, some insects, and some plants.

(low temperature): Some organisms are able to survive freezing temperatures by entering a state of cryptobiosis. This is done by producing special proteins that prevent the formation of ice crystals inside the cells. Examples of organisms that can undergo cryobiosis include tardigrades, some insects, and some plants. Osmobiosis (increased solute concentration): Some organisms are able to survive in environments with high solute concentrations, such as salt water. This is done by producing special proteins that help to regulate the osmotic pressure inside the cells. Examples of organisms that can undergo osmobiosis include brine shrimp, some algae, and some bacteria.

(increased solute concentration): Some organisms are able to survive in environments with high solute concentrations, such as salt water. This is done by producing special proteins that help to regulate the osmotic pressure inside the cells. Examples of organisms that can undergo osmobiosis include brine shrimp, some algae, and some bacteria. Anoxybiosis (lack of oxygen): Some organisms are able to survive in environments with low oxygen levels by entering a state of cryptobiosis. This is done by producing special proteins that help to reduce the oxygen demand of the cells. Examples of organisms that can undergo anoxybiosis include some bacteria and some yeasts.

The process of cryptobiosis is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve a number of different mechanisms. These mechanisms include:

The production of special proteins that protect the cell membranes and other cellular structures from damage.

The reduction of metabolic activity to a very low level.

The formation of a protective coating around the organism.

Cryptobiosis is a fascinating phenomenon that has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about life and death. It is possible that one day we will be able to use cryptobiosis to preserve organs and tissues for transplantation, or to develop new ways to treat diseases.

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Photo: By Schokraie E, Warnken U, Hotz-Wagenblatt A, Grohme MA, Hengherr S, et al. (2012) - Schokraie E, Warnken U, Hotz-Wagenblatt A, Grohme MA, Hengherr S, et al. (2012) Comparative proteome analysis of Milnesium tardigradum in early embryonic state versus adults in active and anhydrobiotic state. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45682. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045682, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22716809

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/7/31/2184312/-Cryptobiosis-as-a-survival-strategy

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