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Gravity and the cell: Intracellular structures and Stokes sedimentationPlant and certain animal embryos appear to be responsive to the gravity vector during early stages of development. The convection of particle sedimentation as the basis for the sensing of gravity is investigated using the cells of wheat seedlings, amphibian embryos, and mammals. Exploration of the mammalian cell for sedimenting particles reveals that their existence is unlikely, especially in the presence of a network of microtubules and microfilaments considered to be responsible for intracellular organization. Destruction of these structures renders the cell susceptible to accelerations several times g. Large dense particles, such as chromosomes, nucleoli, and cytoplasmic organelles are acted upon by forces much larger than that due to gravity, and their positions in the cell appear to be insensitive to gravity.
Document ID
19770010740
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Todd, P. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1977
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Bioprocessing in Space
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
77N17684
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: AT(30-1)-3834
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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