Mircogravity

Question 1

What body parts are affected by microgravity?

Answer 1

Heart and blood vessels, muscles, bones and blood cells

Question 2

How are heart and blood vessels affected by microgravity?

Answer 2

Blood collects in the upper parts of the body because there isn’t any gravity to push it down.
This affects the body’s regulation of water leading to dehydration.

Question 3

How are muscles affected?

Answer 3

They weaken in space because there is little force needed to execute daily tasks.
This can cause permanent damage to the muscles if they aren’t regularly worked.

Question 4

How are bones affected?

Answer 4

Bones weaken in space and the bone mass decreases up to 2% each month. The discs of the spinal column expand and cause astronauts to be taller by 2-4 cm.
Bones can permanently damaged, losing bone mass can cause osteoporosis like effects and lower back pain can occur.

Question 5

How are blood cells affected?

Answer 5

The shape of blood cells change when you are in space.

This affects their capabilities to function effectively.