Only God Could Build The Amazing Tardigrade
Posted: Friday, February 13, 2009
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
The Tardigrade, better known as "water bear" is nothing short of amazing. He is far tougher and more resilient than you and I. These tiny creatures at full adult size maesure only up to approximately 0.06 of an inch. Newly born larvae may measures as little as 0.05 millimeter. It is actually microscopic at birth. But it's ability to survive will astound you.
Tardigrades are polyextremophiles; scientists have reported their existence in hot springs, on top of the Himalayas, under layers of solid ice and in ocean sediments. Many species can be found in a milder environment like lakes, ponds and meadows, while others can be found in stone walls and roofs. Tardigrades are most common in moist environments, but can stay active wherever they can retain at least some moisture. Just look at these extremes they can bear. They can live for days at -200 degrees Celsius! That is the equivalent of 328 degrees below zero Fahrenheit! But listen to this. -273.15 Celsius is absolute zero (-459.67 Fahrenheit) where all molecular activity ceases), and these little varmints can survive a few minutes at -272 Celsius!!! That is absolutely unbelievable that any life could reach that temperature and survive. Whatever you do, don't try to match this at home. Now, let's look at the other extreme.
They can survive at 357.8 degrees Fahrenheit (181 Celsius) for a few minutes! That will bake a cake. He has proven that he can stand the vacuum of outer space and the extreme solar radiation combined for at least 10 days. He can also withstand pressure equal to 1200 times normal atmospheric pressure. Although they thrive in moist or damp areas, they have been shown to live almost 10 years in a dry environment.
In comparison to these fellows, aren't you beginning to feel like a wimp? But next you will see just what sort of a sniveling weakling you are, listen to this. Ten to twenty grays (measurement of radiation) of radiation can be fatal to man (That is measly folks like me and you). But this stud can withstand as much as 5,700 grays! I read where they have determined that this fellow is highly resistant to environmental toxins and they are now experimenting to see just how much chemobiosis he can withstand.Tardigrades are harmless to humans. There is no known incident of infection or other harm from this minature superman. To see some pretty good videos of his little fellow, there are several on Youtube and you can start with this one:
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)I loved reading this article. Very interesting and I have to agree with Shawn that it is like reading the "viewing" version of the Learning Channel. The Earth and our Universe are such a marvel! Thanks for reminding me of that.Thank you Mary, for reading and commenting. I hope you are enjoying your association with Searchwarp. It's a great place to be.
Joel,This was great! Do you think they are related to the common cockroach? I understand the latter have been found in strata levels that are in with the dynasaurs. Guess grubs would be in there too!Thank you for a most informative article,NancyHi Nancy, thanks for your comment. I don't believe a cockraoch can compare with these fellows. Poisons will kill cockroaches easily. These critters just don't like the idea of dying.
hi joel,wow, very interesting. i have recently opened a whole new world up for myself, by watching animal planet and modern marvels, and whatever others, and i've been in complete amazement of one, what i am seeing, and 2, that i never knew this information before. i never wanted to add to an already burdened mind, but i have done some changing and accepting and i can handle new information, knowing, whatever i don't use will be discarded.thank you for sharing your thoughts.my best regards,sueHi Susan, thanks for reading and commenting. We all can learn more as long as we live and have a lucid mind. It is so amazing at the things they have discovered like this little old grub. You can squish one easily but you are unlikely to make him die any other way.
Interesting article! Those little critters are tough cookies!Hi Ben, Thanks for reading and commenting. Yes they are tough, in fact, I wish I was that durable. I would hate to look like that though...hmmm, they may be thinking the same of me.
Wow Joel, how interesting is this? This is great....I have heard of the term grubb, but never knew it was a water bear. It is amazing what they can withstand. They would to have been one of the first things to survive in the beginning days of our world I would suspect, since they are so resiliant. What amazing little creatures, now I do feel like a wimp, the radiation they can withstand is amazing......Great and informative write, I really enjoyed the read and link, (which I did watch, and boy can those little legs go) Well done my friend, I learn something new everyday on SearchWarp......I love it here. Your fan and friend in pen,......Gary.Hi Gary, thanks for the kind remarks. To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure those grubs I have seen and still see, are those Tardigrades but they surely must be. I have seen many and they do look like the pictures. But regardless, they are one bunch of tough cookies.
Joel, I have a feeling that these are not what you referred to as grubs. The adults are barely visible to the naked eye as a dot, so are also considered microscopic. The biggest that they get is 1.2 mm. That's less than the width of the "w" on this page. What most people consider grubs are much, much larger than that.
Anonymous, in checking back, I can only say that your information appears correct. I jumped to the conclusion because it resembles one so much. I say in my opening that they reach as much as 3/4 inch in size. I don't recall where I got that or if I just guessed at it because of the grubs I have seen. I will do a little more researching and if I find for sure, this is wrong, I'll correct it. Somehow, I couldn't imagine a common grub being that tough anyway. I appreciate your dilligence and for letting me know this.
Oh i saw them on TV, so amazing creatures, and yes, only God could have created them, just like everything else.Thank you for reading and commenting on my article HyunSoung. I appreciate it.
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