microbes survive extreme gravity

g-force

One g-force, or gravitational force, corresponds to the force of gravity on Earth. G-forces can be artificially increased or decreased. For example, fighter-pilots are trained in a special centrifuge to learn to withstand the high g-forces that occur in a fighter jet. Japanese researchers did the same to bacteria. An ultracentrifuge, which spins much faster than an ordinary centrifuge, exposed certain types of bacteria to immense g-forces for an extended period of time. 

counting

During the study, various microbe species were examined. The survivors included the intestinal bacteria Escheria coli, soil bacteria Paracoccus denitrificans and baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By counting the number of microbes before and after the centrifuge experiment, researchers were able to determine if they were still able to multiply in spite of the g-forces. The results showed that the Paracoccus denitrificans’s multiplication was uninterrupted. This bacteria is probably able to survive even greater gravitational forces than 403,627g. The ultracentrifuge was simply unable to generate greater gravity.

structure

Researchers think that certain microbe species are able to survive these extreme g-forces due to their small size and extraordinary structure. Contrary to human beings, the microscopically small organisms did not distort in the centrifuge like humans do when exposed to these forces.  We are only able to survive 16g when exposed for prolonged periods of time. Because these types of g-forces do not occur in nature, our bodies simply are not built to withstand them. 

space

The number of g-forces that the researchers have used can only be found in space and during meteorite impacts. The fact that certain species of microbes are able to survive these extreme forces and sometimes even flourish when exposed to them, could be an indication that microbes are possibly able to hitch a ride on asteroids and populate new planets.

Source: PNAS