关键词: 缓步动物, 极端耐受性, 罐生状态, DNA修复, 抗氧化系统, 太空实验

Abstract: Water bears are microscopic animals renowned for their extraordinary tolerance to extreme environments, belonging  to the phylum Tardigrada within the broader Panarthropoda. They are capable of surviving under desiccation, extreme cold, high temperatures, and intense radiation. The mechanism underlying this resilience is their ability to enter a state of anhydrobiosis, a dehydrated cryptobiotic strategy in which metabolism nearly ceases, allowing them to withstand diverse environmental stresses. At the molecular level, tardigrades produce protective substances such as heat shock proteins, tardigrade-specific intrinsically disordered proteins, and trehalose, which help stabilize cellular structures and biomolecules. When confronted with environmental challenges, they also activate efficient antioxidant systems and DNA repair mechanisms, together forming the basis of their remarkable stress resistance. Because of their extraordinary vitality, tardigrades have been launched into space on multiple occasions. Experimental results show that a considerable number of individuals can survive exposure to the vacuum of space, microgravity, and cosmic radiation, further demonstrating their value as exceptional model organisms for deep-space exploration.