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Effect of free fall on higher plants.The influence of exposure to the free-fall state on the orientation, morphogenesis, physiology, and radiation response of higher plants is briefly summarized. It is proposed that the duration of the space-flight experiments has been to brief to permit meaningful effects of free fall on general biochemistry, growth, and development to appear. However, two types of significant effect did occur. The first is on differential growth - i.e., tropism and epinasty - resulting from the absence of a normal geostimulus. For these phenomena it is suggested that ground-based experiments with the clinostat would suffice to mimic the effect of the free-fall state. The second is an apparent interaction between the radiation response and some flight condition, yielding an enhanced microspore abortion, a disturbed spindle function, and a stunting of stamen hairs. It is suggested that this apparent interaction may be derived from a shift in the rhythm of the cell cycle, induced by the free fall.
Document ID
19730057370
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Gordon, S. A.
(Argonne National Laboratory Argonne, Ill., United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1973
Subject Category
Biosciences
Meeting Information
Meeting: Plenary Meeting on Life sciences and space research XI
Location: Madrid
Country: Spain
Start Date: May 10, 1972
End Date: May 24, 1972
Accession Number
73A42172
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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