• Question: can any cellls live in space? if so, how?

    Asked by celt105 to Clare, Mariana, Pedro, Robert, Susanne on 15 Nov 2012.
    • Photo: Robert Insall

      Robert Insall answered on 15 Nov 2012:

      Only in a space suit :>

      There was an interesting theory called “panspermy” about 20 years ago that suggested life was spread from comets. I, personally, think it’s ridiculous – (a) how would the cells survive? and (b) what would drive comets to do such a thing?

    • Photo: Clare Taylor

      Clare Taylor answered on 15 Nov 2012:

      Bacterial cells can survive in space too… but only inside a space ship!

    • Photo: Susanne Muekusch

      Susanne Muekusch answered on 15 Nov 2012:

      Hi celt,

      The conditions in outer space are incompatible with living cells. All earthly cells need at least water, a carbon source and other nutrients to live and reproduce. The temperature and pressure are also not cell friendly out there, because they are too different for what you can find on earth.

    • Photo: Mariana Campos

      Mariana Campos answered on 16 Nov 2012:

      Hi celt,
      You would need to have super cells. The ones we have in our bodies or, in fact, in any living organism, would not make it without a space suit or a space ship!

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