Results on Artemia cysts, lettuce and tobacco seeds in the Biobloc 4 experiment flown aboard the Soviet Biosatellite Cosmos 1129

• Published in: Advances in space research Vol. 3; no. 8; p. 135
• Main Authors: Gaubin, Y, Planel, H, Gasset, G, Pianezzi, B, Clegg, J, Kovalev, E E, Nevzgodina, L V, Maximova, E N, Miller, A T, Delpoux, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 1983
• Subjects: Animals; Artemia - growth & development; Artemia - metabolism; Artemia - radiation effects; Chromosome Aberrations; Cosmic Radiation; Lactuca - genetics; Lactuca - growth & development; Lactuca - radiation effects; Larva - metabolism; Larva - radiation effects; Nicotiana - genetics; Nicotiana - growth & development; Nicotiana - radiation effects; Nucleic Acids - biosynthesis; Plants, Toxic; Protein Biosynthesis; Radiation Dosage; Seeds - genetics; Seeds - growth & development; Seeds - radiation effects; Space Flight; Thermoluminescent Dosimetry; Time Factors; Weightlessness
• ISSN: 0273-1177
• DOI: 10.1016/0273-1177(83)90183-7

Artemia cysts, lettuce and tobacco seeds were flown aboard the Cosmos 1129 for 19 days. A correlative method was used in order to determine the passage of cosmic heavy ions (HZE particles) through the biological test objects. This space flight resulted in a decrease on hatchability, nucleic acid and protein synthesis in hydrated Artemia cysts. HZE particle effects on plant cellular chromosomes are confirmed. In tobacco seeds, a stimulating effect on germination rate and a higher frequency of abnormalities were observed. Dormant biological objects are a very suitable material to study cosmic ray effects: these objects can be arranged in monolayers and sandwiched between visual track detectors in order to determine the passage of the cosmic heavy ions (HZE particles). On the other hand this method allows us to study effects of microgravity and those of the protonic component of cosmic rays in the objects not hit by the HZE articles.