Biochemistry plays in space exploration

 Biochemistry plays a critical role in space exploration by helping to ensure the health and well-being of astronauts. Space travel can have many negative effects on the human body, including:

  • Bone and muscle loss
  • Cardiovascular changes
  • Weakened immune systems
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Abnormal digestion and absorption
  • Abnormal iron metabolism
  • Ophthalmological issues 
Biochemistry helps to develop strategies to counteract these effects. This includes: 
Nutritional counter measures
  • NASA's Nutritional & Biochemistry team develops and validates nutritional countermeasures to prevent or minimize the negative effects of spaceflight on the human body. For example, astronauts may need less iron during long-duration missions. 
  • Understanding metabolic processes
  • Understanding the impact of space travel on metabolic processes is vital for designing effective countermeasures. 
  • Designing better equipment and technologies
  • Understanding what happens to the body in space can help design better equipment and technologies to protect astronauts.

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