Why Do Tardigrades Survive Extreme Conditions?

💡 The Answer

• Tardigrades, also known as water bears, can survive in outer space by entering a dehydrated state called cryptobiosis.
• They endure extreme temperatures from near absolute zero to over 150 degrees Celsius by producing protective proteins.
• Radiation levels that would kill most organisms are withstood due to a unique DNA repair mechanism.
• These microscopic animals can even survive decades without water and revive after rehydration.