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Cryptobiosis Summary |
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HISTORY HABITAT SCIENTIFIC STUDY
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Cryptobiosis consists of four states which are anhydrobiosis, cryobiosis,
osmobiosis, and anoxybiosis. Anhydrobiosis is the most researched type of
cryptobiosis. In this state the water bear loses almost all of its body
water percentage and can remain in this state for a very long time.
Crytobiosis is the state in which the liquid within the water bears cells
freezes. It is believed that this state is used when the water bear deals
with extremely cold conditions that it may need to overcome. Osmobiosis is
the least studied state in cryptobiosis with only two studies known that
have been done. Osmobiosis is the state in which water potential is
decreased due to increased solute concentration in the surrounding solution.
The process in which it occurs is not fully understood but appears to be
involved in the cessation of the metabolism.
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