Whether something ever lived on Mars is unknown. And the current setting, with harsh temperatures, intense radiation, and a sparse ambiance, isn’t precisely propitious for all times. Despite the pink planet’s brutality, lichens that inhabit some of the harshest environments on Earth may probably survive there.
Lichens are symbionts, or two organisms which might be in a cooperative relationship. There is a fungal part (most are about 90 % fungus) and a photosynthetic part (algae or cyanobacteria). To see if some species of lichen had what it takes to survive on Mars, a group of researchers led by botanist Kaja Skubała used the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences to show the lichen species Diploschistes muscorum and Cetrarea aculeata to simulate Mars circumstances.
“Our study is the first to demonstrate that the metabolism of the fungal partner in lichen symbiosis was active while being in a Mars-like environment,” the researchers mentioned in a examine lately printed in IMA Fungus. “X-rays associated with solar flares and SEPs reaching Mars should not affect the potential habitability of lichens on this planet.”
Martian ionizing radiation is threatening to most types of life as a result of it can trigger harm on the mobile degree. It can additionally get in the way in which of bodily, genetic, morphological, and biochemical processes, relying on the organism and radiation degree.
Going to extremes
Lichens have an edge in the case of survival. They share traits with different organisms that can deal with excessive ranges of stress, together with a low metabolism, not needing a lot in the way in which of vitamin, and longevity. Much like tardigrades, lichens can keep in a desiccated state for prolonged intervals till they’re rehydrated. Other lichen variations to excessive circumstances embrace metabolites that display out UV rays and melanin pigments that additionally defend towards radiation.