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Researchers Find Size Affects Growth Of Microorganisms In Mars-Like Environment

Date:
May 24, 2000
Source:
University Of Arkansas
Summary:
When growing microorganisms under some Mars-like conditions, size does matter — at least if you’re talking about the sample size and surface area involved, according to two University of Arkansas researchers.
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When growing microorganisms under some Mars-like conditions, size does matter — at least if you’re talking about the sample size and surface area involved, according to two University of Arkansas researchers.

Tim Kral, professor of biological sciences, and graduate student Curtis Bekkum will present their findings this morning (May 22) at the American Society for Microbiology meeting in Los Angeles.

Last year, Kral became the first scientist to grow microbes under some of the conditions found on Mars. Now he is refining his studies to determine factors that affect the growth of the microbes.

"This is a hodgepodge of things that come together and tell a story," Kral said. "You have to put the parts in place before you can see the whole picture. We are currently teasing out the parts so we can build the picture."

Mars appears unfriendly towards most life forms. The planet currently contains no detectable organic matter and has extremely cold surface temperatures. So for his experiment, Kral sought microorganisms that survive in extreme conditions and thrive on inorganic matter.

He found the ideal microbes in methanogens, anaerobic microorganisms considered to be some of the most primitive life forms on earth. Methanogens can be found deep in the ocean, in the earth’s crust or even in a cow’s stomach, all of which are environments that might be considered harsh like Mars’ surface.

To grow methanogens under some of the conditions found on Mars, Kral and Bekkum used ash from Hawaiian volcanoes — known to share chemical characteristics with Mars soil. They also used carbon dioxide, hydrogen and water while growing the microbes. The methanogens grew successfully in the Mars soil simulant, obtaining all the macro and trace minerals they needed to survive.


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Cite This Page:

University Of Arkansas. "Researchers Find Size Affects Growth Of Microorganisms In Mars-Like Environment." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 May 2000. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/05/000522082533.htm>.
University Of Arkansas. (2000, May 24). Researchers Find Size Affects Growth Of Microorganisms In Mars-Like Environment. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 17, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/05/000522082533.htm
University Of Arkansas. "Researchers Find Size Affects Growth Of Microorganisms In Mars-Like Environment." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/05/000522082533.htm (accessed March 17, 2024).

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