Classification of gravity effects on "free" cells.
When cell physiologists detect gravity related reactions of their objects it is often difficult to decide where the receptors for the observed effects are located. Answering this question is necessary for any further analysis of a detected gravity effect on cells. In previous papers we have discussed direct and indirect gravity effects in relation to the smallest functional units where the primary receptor, which interacts with gravity, is positioned inside and outside of such a unit, respectively. So, in a first approximation we can conclude that in a multicellular aquatic organism, which changes its metabolism in weightlessness, the primary receptors of gravity are located inside the cells of that organism. A special approach is necessary when free living cells, the density of which may be higher than the one of the (liquid) medium, or even cells living on a free surface are observed. In these two cases also indirect effects have to be taken into account, which will be demonstrated with the aid of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum. Additionally the environment of the organisms can be changed directly and indirectly by gravity.
Briegleb
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DFVLR-Institute for Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, FRG.
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D000818:Animals; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D016764:Cell Polarity; D006112:Gravitation; D018466:Gravity Sensing / Q000502:physiology*; D016839:Physarum polycephalum / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013026:Space Flight; D014893:Weightlessness