Cryptobiosis
Cryptobiosis is an ametabolic state of life entered by an organism in response to adverse environmental conditions such as desiccation, freezing, and oxygen deficiency. In the cryptobiotic state, all metabolic processes stop, preventing reproduction, development, and repair. An organism in a cryptobiotic state can essentially live indefinitely until environmental conditions return to being hospitable. When this occurs, the organism will return to its metabolic state of life as it was prior to the cryptobiosis.
Forms of cryptobiosis
Anhydrobiosis
Anhydrobiosis is the most studied form of cryptobiosis and occurs in situations of extreme desiccation. The term anhydrobiosis derives from the Greek for "life without water" and is most commonly used for the desiccation tolerance observed in certain invertebrate animals such as bdelloid rotifers, tardigrades, brine shrimp, nematodes, and at least one insect, a species of chironomid (Polypedilum vanderplanki). However, other life forms, including the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum, the majority of plant seeds, and many microorganisms such as bakers' yeast, also exhibit desiccation tolerance. Studies have shown that some anhydrobiotic organisms can survive for decades, even centuries, in the dry state.
Cryptobiosis (audio drama)
Cryptobiosis is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was initially made available as an exclusive bonus to Big Finish series subscribers and was not sold commercially, although it is now available to non-subscribers.
Plot
The Sixth Doctor and Peri are passengers on the Lankester, a ship that makes its run every year from Madagascar to New Orleans. However, this time, the ship hides a secret...
Cast
External links
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by Malignancy
Cryptobiosis
by: MalignancyAn earthbound species that must adapt to this new
routine
Physical transformations, over time help facilitate
survival.
Gradual adaption as the poison infiltrates the
indigenous.
Depopulating the ranks of the chosen.
Feed the dead to the starving, forced to cannibalize
Ingestion speeds up the incubation process
Suspended animation, cryogenic sleep cycles
Descendants that are hybridized for violence.
Offspring languish to thin the herd.
Building up a resistance to inoculate the tribe.
Heteromorphic, the change is ongoing.
Biofilm repairs sickness through a complex internal
matrix.
With a multitude of imperfections these colonists rise
above.
Using disadvantage to their advantage.
Secular humanists they are not.
Hibernating mutoids strengthen from within.
Molecular sequencing for optimal usage.
An outer sanctum constructed with a purpose.
Not by the dwellers that inhabit.
Extinguish the flames of hopes and desire.
Shut down the emotions that weaken.
Imprisoned by this hate and rage.
A colony that is now a horde.