In: Biology
list some characteristics of life you observed by the water bear: list some observations about the water bear and why its apparently so successful in a variety of environments
Water bear - Tardigrades ( phylum of small invertebrates). Tardigrades are short (0.05mm - 1.2mm in body length), plump, bilaterally symmetrical, segmented organisms. They have four pairs of legs, which further divides in four to eight claws. Tardigrades reproduce via asexual (parthenogenesis) or sexual reproduction and feed on the plant cells, animal cells, and bacteria.They have an amazing diversity of habitats and can be found in almost every habitat.
Tardigrades have adapted to environmental stress by undergoing a process known as cryptobiosis. Cryptobiosis is defined as a state in which metabolic activities come to a reversible standstill. It is truly a death-like state. The most common type of cryptobiosis studied in tardigrades is anhydrobiosis (lack of water).
Note- All Tardigrades need water around their bodies to permit gas exchange as well as to prevent uncontrolled desiccation.