Abstract
It appears that the literature and logic that the earth's gravity has been one factor in the limitation of cell size, as well as being an important influence on the diversity of cell types and sizes throughout biological evolution. Analysis of the literature reveals an inverse relationship between the centrifugal force needed for intracellular stratification and cell size. The cells studied ranged in size from approximately 1 mm (amphibian eggs, Pelomyxa) to 0.01 mm (erythrocyte, lymphocyte), and g-forces ranged from about 100 g to 100 000 g respectively. Stratification within cell nuclei and organelles requires even greater forces, presumably because of their smaller size. Extrapolation from centrifugal forces to the force of gravity, and from the full stratification to the initial sedimentation of cell parts suggests a hypothesis for the evolutionary survival and existence of cells in the field of gravity. Average cell size results, in part, from the physical equilibrium between the destructive influence of the force of gravity and the protective role of diffusion and the cytoskeleton. At increased forces of gravity the cell size would thus be decreased, whereas at lower gravitational forces and weightlessness cell size would be expected to increase. Mechanisms of protection of giant cells against internal sedimentation are based on protoplasmic motion, thin and elongated shape of the cell body, increased cytoplasmic viscosity, and a reduced range of specific gravity of cell components, relative to the ground-plasm. The nucleolus, due to its higher density, is considered as a possible trigger of mitosis.
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