Hi,
I'm Jasmine Moghbeli and today
we're going to talk about
cell organelles.
Did you know that here
on the International Space Station,
we investigate the inner
workings of thousands of cells.
Let's go!
The different parts of cells
can be compared
to the many parts of the space station.
But before we do that,
we need to know what cells are.
Cells are the basic building blocks
for life as we know it.
Living organisms
can be made up of a single cell
or millions of cells working together.
Cells of complex
organisms have inner parts
called organelles.
Just like each
element of the space
station has a specific function
to keep operations running smoothly up
here, organelles
have specific jobs to do for their cell.
The Tranquility node
could be considered our nucleus
here on the space station
because it contains the life support
and environmental controls
needed to make the excess habitable.
Likewise,
the nucleus of the cell contains
the genetic material
and control center for a cell's processes
and functions.
The space
station is surrounded
by an exterior barrier
that keeps the inside of the space
station safe
from the external hazards
like extreme temperatures,
UV rays and micrometeorites.
Docking stations allow vehicles to visit
the space station
with a resupply of essentials
like food and supplies sent from Earth.
Similarly, the cell membrane
has channels and pores
built from protein molecules
to allow certain substances
to enter or leave the cell.
The solar arrays on the space
station can be adjusted
by our mission control team
to maximize the amount of sunlight
they receive.
Like the chloroplasts of plant cells,
the solar arrays convert
sunlight into usable forms of energy.
When the space station is in sunlight,
the electricity generated by
the arrays
is used to charge
the station's batteries.
The batteries power the station
just like the mitochondria
powers the cell.
The atmosphere in the
space station
can be compared to the cell's cytoplasm,
which is the fluid
that fills the cell,
contains organelles and cytoskeleton
and allows
intracellular movement of organelles.
The atmosphere on the space station
allows for the movement
of astronauts,
supplies and equipment on station.
Trusses on the space station provide
support and stability
for the various modules.
Much like the cell's
cytoskeleton provides
support within the cell
and is made of interlinking
protein filaments.
The Zarya module or functional
cargo block,
was the first module
of the space station to be launched,
but it's mostly used for storage now.
Similarly.
Cells use specialized compartments
called vacuoles
that are storage spaces
for cellular material, waste and water.
Here on station,
we use cargo transfer bags,
also known as CTBs
to conveniently store equipment,
hardware and tools.
CTBs allow all these loose items
to be transported from module
to module efficiently as needed.
Similarly, the Golgi apparatus
processes and packages
proteins in a cell.
The recycling system on the space station
breaks down
waste and enables
reuse of critical resources,
including water and oxygen.
These resources can be difficult
to transport to station.
Likewise, lysosomes in a cell,
break down and recycle waste
and pathogens
for use
in the making of new cellular parts.
The space station is a unique laboratory
that makes it possible to study cells
without constraints of gravity.
The bio serve microscope
was specifically modified
for use on the space station.
It allows astronauts to capture
digital high definition
microscopy, images
and videos of experiments.
These images are then sent back to Earth
for analysis by scientists.
Thanks for learning
about the parts of the cell
and the space station for me today.
The results from research on cells
conducted here on the station
will help us better understand
the human body
and solve biomedical problems
that occur both on Earth and in space.
Think about the many
roles your cells play to keep you alive
and well.
Learn more about cells
in the classroom connection
that accompanies this video
at nasa.gov/stemonstrations.
See you next time!