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Biological experiments on the orbital station Salyut 4
N P Dubinin1, Y L Glembotsky, E N Vaulina
1USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, USSR.
Life Sciences and Space Research
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Space flight increased mutations in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) but initially showed no effect on dwarf pea plants. However, peas later died under weightlessness, suggesting space-flight factors impact plant development.
Area of Science:
- Space biology
- Developmental biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Understanding the effects of space-flight factors on living organisms is crucial for long-duration space missions.
- Previous studies have investigated the impact of microgravity and radiation on various biological systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of space-flight factors on the growth and development of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) and dwarf pea plants.
- To analyze the genetic effects on fruit fly progeny and the developmental responses of pea plants.
Main Methods:
- Two series of experiments were conducted on the Salyut 4 orbital station.
- Drosophila melanogaster (strain D-32) and dwarf pea (variety "Pioneer") were exposed to space-flight conditions for varying durations.
- Analysis included visible mutation rates in fruit flies and anatomo-morphological, cytological, and biochemical assessments of pea plants.
Main Results:
- Fruit fly progeny exhibited an increased rate of visible mutations at specific loci (y, ct, w, vg) compared to earth controls.
- Dwarf pea plants showed no initial growth inhibition but ceased development and died at 2-3 weeks under weightless conditions.
- Detailed analyses were performed to understand the causes of pea plant mortality.
Conclusions:
- Space-flight factors can induce genetic mutations in Drosophila melanogaster.
- Weightlessness poses significant challenges to the development and survival of dwarf pea plants, necessitating further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of mortality.