A Tiny Animal That Survives Drying
Written by Studio AM.
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Among Earth's resilient animals are tardigrades, often called water bears. These tiny, eight-legged creatures live in many habitats, including moss, soil, and ocean sediments. Many are difficult to see without a microscope.
Some tardigrades can survive drying by losing most of their body water and drawing in their legs. They form a compact, dormant shape called a tun. Metabolism slows to an extremely low level. If conditions become suitable again, adding water can allow the animal to resume activity.
Experiments have found remarkable survival abilities in certain species. Some have survived intense cold, radiation, or exposure to the vacuum of space. The result depends on the species, its condition, and how long the exposure lasts. A dormant animal that survives a brief extreme is not necessarily able to feed, grow, or reproduce there.
Scientists study how tardigrades protect cells during such stress. That work can help explain biological preservation and the limits of survival in unfamiliar environments, including those considered in space research.
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Question 1 of 4
As used in the passage, 'dormant' most nearly means
The answer is B: inactive or resting
Dormant describes an inactive state in which metabolism is extremely low, not rapid growth.
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Question 2 of 4
Why do scientists study tardigrades in connection with other worlds?
The answer is B: Their survival suggests how life may endure harsh conditions
Their stress responses help scientists investigate the limits of biological survival in unusual environments.
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Question 3 of 4
What can some tardigrades do as their surroundings dry out?
The answer is B: It forms a dry, curled tun
Some lose most of their body water, draw in their legs, and form a dormant tun.
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Question 4 of 4
The passage is mainly about:
The answer is D: how a nearly invisible animal survives extremes by entering a dormant state
The passage explains dormant survival responses, experimental findings, their limits, and the reason scientists study them.
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