| Popis: |
Understanding how terrestrial life responds to planet microgravity is essential for humankind’s ambitious solar system exploration. Using the life-regeneration ecosystem carried by Chang’e 4 probe landed on the Moon, for the first time in human history, we followed the life trajectory of an earth cotton seed germination, development, and final fate after long term exposure to super cold temperature. We compared this life trajectory on the moon to that on earth in a controlled environment with matching parameters, except that the gravity is different. We found that 1/6 g Moon gravity causes no significant interruption to seed germination speed, but slows down seedling growth and contributes to an apparently shortened hypocotyl and thinner cotyledon. Most surprisingly, Moon seedling showed expeditious acclimation to super-freezing under 1/6 g microgravity, remaining erect and green after exposure to long term super cold temperature during the lunar night. We propose plausible mechanisms for the cold resilience based on moon-microgravity induced cellular and molecular responses. These unique findings will extend our understanding of plant adaptive responses to space suboptimal environments. |
