A question about bacterias traveling in\on asteroids.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the survival of bacteria in space, particularly in the context of asteroids. Participants explore whether bacteria can dwell in space, the conditions necessary for their survival, and the implications of vacuum and radiation exposure on their viability.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how long bacteria can dwell in space and whether they would need to be contained in an airtight chamber within an asteroid to survive.
  • Another participant suggests that if higher organisms like tardigrades can survive in space, it is plausible that some bacteria could also endure similar conditions.
  • Concerns are raised about whether bacteria would need to be contained to prevent the vacuum of space from affecting them, and whether essential molecules for reproduction could be found in such a containment.
  • A participant discusses the ability of bacterial cell walls to withstand the pressure difference between the inside of the cell and the vacuum of space, noting that survival would depend on the species and prior environmental conditions.
  • It is mentioned that some bacteria can form spores that are resistant to extreme conditions, which could aid in their survival during space travel.
  • A reference is provided to research indicating that bacterial spores can survive atmospheric entry on simulated meteorites.
  • One participant humorously addresses the need for airtight capsules, asserting that bacteria do not necessarily require such containment while being gravitationally attracted to asteroids.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of airtight containment for bacteria in space, with some arguing it is essential while others believe it is not required. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific conditions under which bacteria can survive in space.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include uncertainties about the specific bacterial species discussed, the effects of extreme cold and radiation, and the conditions necessary for reproduction within a containment scenario.

Anonymous_1
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How long can a bacteria dwell? Can it dwell in space, or would the air be sucked out of it and the cell would be destroyed? Would it have to be incased in an airtight chamber inside an asteroid for it to travel in space? Thanks :bugeye:
 
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Even some higher organisms are capable of surviving conditions on the orbit (Tardigrada), so there is no reason to not believe some bacteria could survive too. I would be surprised if they were not tested by NASA and if the results were impossible to google.
 
Would it have to be contained inside an airtight capsule in the asteroid? Wouldn't the vacuum in space suck the air out of the bacteria? Wouldn't it be hard to find the molecules needed for reproducing inside an airtight capsule inside a rock? Thanks
 
What you're really asking is, would the cell wall of the bacteria withstand the difference between the internal pressure in the cell and the vacuum of space around it? I believe the answer is yes, depending on the species of bacteria and, probably, the external pressure in the environment it was in prior to being subjected to a vacuum. And once it got past the initial imposition of a vacuum, its continued survival would depend on whether its cell wall is capable of holding in the cell contents indefinitely, whether it can survive extreme cold, how much radiation damage it's subjected to, etc. Its internal processes would probably cease until warmth and external pressure were restored, and then only if the cell wall hadn't ruptured or leaked substantially.
 
Additionally, some bacteria can make spores which are resistant to temperature extremes, radiation, nutrition deficiencies etc. From memory, spores are basically a, mostly dehydrated, core with some nucleic acids and proteins with several layers of membrane, cell wall and tough peptidoglycan membrane(s) helping to accomplish this resistance to extreme conditions. Googling will bring up some info.
 
Anonymous_1 said:
Would it have to be contained inside an airtight capsule in the asteroid? Wouldn't the vacuum in space suck the air out of the bacteria? Wouldn't it be hard to find the molecules needed for reproducing inside an airtight capsule inside a rock? Thanks

Yes. Aliens build those capsules all the time.
But seriously, bacteria in asteroids don't have to be kept in some sort of a container. It is gravitationally attracted to the asteriod. I'm not sure what you want to know in this thread

cb
 
(Mentor note -- as you can tell by the italics font in the OP's username, he is no longer with the PF. Not for anything he was asking about in this thread here, BTW.)
 

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