Blogs by Ann Massey
Plants light up on the International Space Station
5/7/2013 3:09:26 PM
Advanced biological research on board the International Space Station may tell us how well plants will adapt to the challenges of climate change. Plants are often seen as passive passengers on the earth’s surface - And yet they were instrumental in creating the eco system. Without vegetation the Earth would be returned to the era when water flooded over Earth’s landmasses.
Thale Cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) which has been grown in an experimental chamber on board the space station was genetically modified to give off an eerie green glow under stress. This is not a mere novelty. The glow has a serious purpose. Plants were subjected to extremes of pressure, temperature and drought, (some extremes can only be found in space). By watching parts of the plant light up scientists were able to track cellular changes.
Reassuringly Thale Cress has shown it can adapt to the space environment. Which begs the question: did the seeds of plant life arrive on Earth from space?
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More Blogs by Ann Massey
• Plants light up on the International Space Station - Tuesday, May 07, 2013
• Biocide Conspiracy in Syria - Monday, May 06, 2013
• My Success Story - Saturday, April 27, 2013
• Going for Gold - Saturday, April 27, 2013
• Bingo: Thirteen Lucky for Some - Saturday, April 27, 2013
• Hacked - Monday, April 15, 2013
• UK- style riots in Australia - not so far-fetched - Wednesday, August 10, 2011
• Does anything supernatural actually exist - Wednesday, March 09, 2011
• Nothing's so much fun as simply messing about in boats but ... - Friday, March 04, 2011
• Tattoos more than a fashion statement - Tuesday, February 22, 2011
• Shopping Can Be perilous: shopoholics in need of a fix put their lives in danger - Saturday, February 05, 2011
• Conmen and cheats: men who prey on vulnerable women - Thursday, February 03, 2011
• The Strangest and Most Interest Person I Met on Public Transport - Tuesday, February 01, 2011
• The strange and amazing people you meet on public transport. - Tuesday, February 01, 2011
• Bioliogical Weapons Convention Ignored - Thursday, January 27, 2011
• And the Winner is … - Tuesday, January 25, 2011
• Bilogical Warfare : Is it ever justified? - Saturday, January 22, 2011
• Multiple Births: a blessing or a blight? - Thursday, January 20, 2011
• Thou shall not wash dishes - Saturday, January 15, 2011
• Enter Miss Miri - Thursday, January 13, 2011
• Click to Save the Rain Forest - Wednesday, January 12, 2011
• Borneo's Tropical Rainforest is Disappearing Fast ... So What! - Saturday, January 08, 2011
• Sweetest Things Turn Sourest By Their Deeds - Wednesday, January 05, 2011
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