7th Reading - Life Without Gravity Flashcards
How does weightlessness affect the circulation of the blood?
In space, the much weaker gravity makes the human body change in many unexpected ways. The blood is rerouted, flowing from the legs, which become thin and sticklike, to the head, which swells up.
Why can astronauts’ muscles become weak?
The astronauts’ muscles get weak and flabby because floating about in space is too easy. So if they don’t exercise their muscles they become feeble and when they return to Earth they even walk.
What might happen if astronauts’ bones become very weak?
Their bones would snap once the astronauts return to Earth.
How do you know that weightlessness makes bones “thin and spongy”?
The body decides that if the muscles aren’t going to push and pull on the bones, it doesn’t need to lay down as much bone as it normally does.
When does weightlessness become fun?
After about a week people usually get used to the weightlessness and then flying around like a bird becomes fun.
What happens if you pour milk in a weightless environment?
Milk won’t pour. Instead, big balls of milk will form. You can drink these by taking big bites our of them, but you better finish them before they slam into a wall, splattering apart and covering everything with little tiny milk globules.
What happens if you do not have a clamp on the straw you are drinking through in a weightless environment?
If not clamped, when you stop drinking, the liquid will continue to flow out, spilling everywhere.
Why is this an expository article?
Because it explains what life is space will look like.
