Facts about Tardigrade Survival Capabilities
- 05
A protein unique to tardigrades, called Dsup (Damage Suppressor), physically shields DNA from damage caused by radiation and other stressors.
- 04
Radiation resistance is among tardigrades' most remarkable capabilities, with some species tolerating doses of ionizing radiation far exceeding lethal levels for most animals.
- 03
Extreme temperatures are no obstacle for tardigrade survival, as they can endure conditions close to absolute zero and brief exposure to temperatures above 150°C.
- 02
In a cryptobiotic state called anhydrobiosis, tardigrades can lose nearly all body water and survive for decades without any moisture.
- 01
Tardigrades can survive exposure to the vacuum of outer space, a feat demonstrated during experiments conducted on the FOTON-M3 spacecraft mission.