Cryptobiosis
Cryptobiosis is a physiological state in which an organism's metabolic activities come to a reversible standstill. This state is induced by extreme environmental conditions such as desiccation, freezing, and oxygen deficiency. Cryptobiosis is observed in a variety of organisms, including bacteria, yeasts, plants, and invertebrates such as tardigrades and nematodes.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Cryptobiosis is a survival mechanism that allows organisms to withstand unfavorable environmental conditions. During cryptobiosis, an organism's metabolic processes are halted or reduced to an undetectable level, effectively suspending life. This state is reversible; when conditions improve, the organism can resume normal metabolic activity.
Types of Cryptobiosis[edit | edit source]
There are several types of cryptobiosis, each triggered by different environmental conditions:
- Anhydrobiosis: Induced by desiccation. Organisms in this state can survive without water for extended periods.
- Cryobiosis: Induced by freezing temperatures. Organisms in this state can survive in extremely cold environments.
- Osmobiosis: Induced by high solute concentrations. Organisms in this state can survive in highly saline or sugary environments.
- Anoxybiosis: Induced by oxygen deficiency. Organisms in this state can survive in environments with little to no oxygen.
Organisms Capable of Cryptobiosis[edit | edit source]
A variety of organisms are capable of entering a state of cryptobiosis, including:
- Bacteria: Certain bacteria can form endospores, a type of dormant state, in response to unfavorable conditions.
- Yeasts: Some yeasts can enter a state of cryptobiosis in response to desiccation or nutrient deficiency.
- Plants: Some plants, particularly their seeds, can survive in a state of cryptobiosis for years or even decades.
- Invertebrates: Certain invertebrates, such as tardigrades and nematodes, are known for their ability to enter a state of cryptobiosis.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
 | |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Cryptobiosis[edit | edit source]
Desiccation Tolerance in the Tardigrade Richtersius coronifer
SEM image of Milnesium tardigradum in tun state
SEM image of Milnesium tardigradum in active state
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
