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The influence of gravity on structure and function of animalsGravity is the only environmental parameter that has remained constant during the period of evolution of living matter on earth. Thus, it must have been a major force in shaping living things. The influence of gravitational loading on evolution of the vertebrate skeleton is well recognized, and scale effects have been studied. This paper, however, considers in addition four pivotal events in early evolution that would seem to have been significant for the later success and diversifcation of animal life. These are evolution of the cytoskeleton, cell motility (flagellae and cilia), gravity detecting devices (accelerometers), and biomineralization. All are functionally calcium dependent in eukaryotes and all occurred or were foreshadowed in prokaryotes. A major question is why calcium was selected as an ion of great importance to the structure and function of living matter; another is whether gravity played a role in its selection.
Document ID
19850054763
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Ross, M. D.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Advances in Space Research
Volume: 4
Issue: 12 1
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
85A36914
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-9047
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS2-10535
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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