National Aeronautics and Space Administration

MICROGRAVITY EFFECTS ON HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY: Grade Level

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM 10-12

Key Topic
Instructional Objectives Physiology of the
Circulatory System,
Students will: Application of Lab 10
 analyze the effects of external stimuli on the physiological
processes of the body; Degree of Difficulty
 apply the concept of form and function to an unfamiliar situation; Moderate
 review and recall specific content knowledge for the circulatory
system as it relates to blood pressure and cardiac output; Teacher Prep Time
 examine form and function of the heart as muscle tissue rather than 30 minutes
an organ;
 examine the effects of gravity on the evolution of form and function Class Time Required
in the human circulatory system; 35-50 minutes
 find the connection between space biology and related medical
pathologies on Earth; and Technology
 recognize the risks and hazards associated with space science and None
the human body.
--------------------------------

Degree of Difficulty AP Course Topics

Organisms and
For the average AP Biology student, this problem is at a moderate level of Populations:
difficulty. If AP Biology Lab 10 and the human circulatory system have been - Structure and Function
covered in class, an average student should be able to make a connection of Plants and Animals
between microgravity and its effects on body fluids and enhanced muscle
atrophy. NSES
Science Standards
Class Time Required - Unifying Concepts and
Processes
This problem requires 35-50 minutes.
- Science as Inquiry
 Introduction: 5-10 minutes - Life Science
 Student Work Time: 20-25 minutes - Science and
 Post Discussion: 10-15 minutes Technology
- History and Nature of
Science

*AP is a trademark owned by the

College Board, which was not
involved in the production of, and
does not endorse, this product.

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Background
This problem is part of a series of problems that apply Math and Science @ Work in NASA’s Space
Shuttle Mission Control Center.
Since its conception in 1981, NASA has used the space shuttle for human transport, the construction of
the International Space Station (ISS), and to research the effects of space on the human body. One of
the keys to the success of the Space Shuttle Program is the Space Shuttle Mission Control Center
(MCC). The Space Shuttle MCC at NASA Johnson Space Center uses some of the most sophisticated
technology and communication equipment in the world to monitor and control the space shuttle flights.
Within the Space Shuttle MCC, teams of highly qualified engineers, scientists, doctors, and technicians,
known as flight controllers, monitor the systems and activities aboard the space shuttle. They work
together as a powerful team, spending many hours performing critical simulations as they prepare to
support preflight, ascent, flight, and re-entry of the space shuttle and the crew. The flight controllers
provide the knowledge and expertise needed to support normal operations and any unexpected events.
One of the flight control positions in the MCC is the Surgeon. Surgeons have an extensive role in the
crews’ health and well-being during training, pre-flight, mission, and post-landing. Each astronaut is
selected and trained for a very specific skill set. Their inability to perform due to health reasons can be
very costly to the mission and hazardous to the whole crew. Therefore, flight surgeons work very
closely with astronauts throughout their training and monitor their health from the MCC during flight.

Figure 1: Astronaut Edward T. Lu Figure 2: Catherine (Cady) Coleman is performing a remotely

exercises on the Treadmill Vibration guided echocardiogram on a test subject utilizing the Integrated
Isolation System (TVIS) on the Cardiovascular protocols.
International Space Station (ISS).

Shifting from an environment with gravity to one of microgravity causes changes in an astronaut’s body.
Structural and functional changes of the cardiovascular system in microgravity are known medical
issues associated with human space flight. Even though short-duration flights pose no major problems
with post-flight functional and structural recovery, understanding these physiological changes are of
great importance when planning for challenging extravehicular activities and longer duration missions.

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AP Course Topics
Organisms and Populations
 Structure and Function of Plants and Animals
o Structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations
o Response to the environment

NSES Science Standards

Unifying Concepts and Processes
 Systems, order, and organization
 Evidence, models, and explanations
 Change, constancy, and measurements
 Evolutions and equilibrium
 Form and function
Science as Inquiry
 Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
 Understandings about scientific inquiry
Life Science
 Biological evolution
 Matter, energy, and organization in living systems
Science and Technology
 Understanding about science and technology
History and Nature of Science
 Science as a human endeavor

Problem
In spaceflight, shortly after reaching orbit, astronauts experience much lower gravity than on Earth. This
is known as microgravity. Therefore, the average physical exertion of astronauts on board the space
shuttle and the ISS is reduced compared to pre-flight, with the exception of challenging extravehicular
activities such as a space walk. An astronaut’s circulatory system, which is accustomed to working
against gravity, receives a different set of signals and stimuli in microgravity and adapts to the new
environment. The heart does not need to work as hard to send blood to the upper body as it does when
it working against gravity. This causes blood volume to increase in the upper body.
Table 1 demonstrates a comparison of percent changes obtained from pre-flight and post-flight taken
on 17 male astronauts, with an age range of 34-48 years. Thirteen subjects had flown on short-duration
flights of 4-17 days versus four subjects that had flown long-term missions of 129-144 days.

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 Table 1**: Percent Changes from Pre-Flight to Landing of
Echocardiographic Parameters (Mean  SE)
Short-duration Long-duration
n = 13 n=4
Δ % (Mean  SE) Δ % (Mean  SE)
Systolic Blood Pressure (mm Hg) 6.69  2.47 8.93  3.12
Diastolic Blood Pressure (mm Hg) 6.64  4.12 16.60  3.90
Stroke Volume+ (mL) - 5.00  0.03 - 17.40  0.05
Cardiac Output * (L/min) - 2.30  0.07 - 12.20  0.09
+
Stroke volume is the amount of blood that is pumped by the left ventricle in one contraction.
*Cardiac Output is the stroke volume multiplied by the heart rate.
** Martin, David S., South, Donna A., Wood, Margie L., Bungo, Michael W., Meck, Janice V. Comparison of
Echocardiographic Changes After Short- and Long-Duration Spaceflight. Aviation, Space, and Environmental
Medicine. June 2002; 73-6: 532-536.

A. Describe arterial pressure changes during a single heart beat of a fit human on Earth.

B. Consider the data in Table 1 and explain how the circulatory system of a fit astronaut is affected
by the muscle atrophy and fluid shift (from lower to upper body) as a result of microgravity.
Explain why this could be a serious issue on long-duration flights.

Note: In Table 1, blood pressure is not presented in the usual format of systolic/diastolic. Each
data set in Table 1 is presented as the percent change of the values measured before and
immediately after flight.

C. To stay healthy and productive in space and after astronauts return to earth, they follow certain
procedures, strategies, medications, exercise routines, etc. known as countermeasures. What
are some potential countermeasures the Surgeon might suggest to help minimize the effects of
microgravity on the circulatory system, specifically for long-duration flights or on board the ISS?

D. How might these microgravity studies and results be applied to the treatment or prevention of
circulatory diseases on Earth?

Solution Key (One Approach)

A. Describe arterial pressure changes during a single heart beat of a fit human on Earth.

During systole, ventricles contract to pump a volume of blood through the body which increases
the volume of blood in the arteries and therefore also increases the pressure in the arteries.
During diastole, the heart relaxes and fills with blood; therefore, the volume of blood and the
pressure in the arteries decreases.

Note to teacher: You may wish to further explain that blood pressure is the pressure the heart
generates to overcome resistance of the blood vessels in the body. Vasoconstriction, or
vasodilation of blood vessels (arteries and veins) downstream of the heart, determines how hard
the heart has to work. Arteries can constrict or dilate to change the pressure independent of the
pressure generated by the heart. This is a complex closed loop system.

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 B. Consider the data in Table 1 and explain how the circulatory system of a fit astronaut is affected
by the muscle atrophy and fluid shift (from lower to upper body) as a result of microgravity.
Explain why this could be a serious issue on long-duration flights.

Note: In Table 1 blood pressure is not presented in the usual format of systolic/diastolic. Each
data set in Table 1 is presented as the percent change of the values measured before and
immediately after flight.

A microgravity environment leads to changes in fluid distribution, muscle loading, and altered
signaling pathways. Some basic changes include alterations in blood pressure and the quantity
of blood that is pumped by the heart with each beat. The human heart is designed to force blood
to the body, and the most difficult organ to perfuse is the brain since it is above the heart. In
space your heart does not have to work against gravity to pump blood to your brain and blood
accumulates in the upper body because gravity is not there to pull it toward your feet. Your body
takes advantage of this lack of work and begins to be less efficient as demonstrated by the
lower stroke volume. The heart generates slightly higher systolic and diastolic pressures
because large muscle groups (like the legs) are inactive and do not demand blood, resulting in
vasoconstriction. Also, since the heart is less efficient some blood remains in the heart after
each contraction which slightly increases the pressure during the relaxation phase known as
diastole. Taken together, the amount of blood that is being pumped out of the heart (stroke
volume) will change. As the flight duration increases, these changes become slightly more
dramatic, and may affect an astronaut’s other physiological functions. There could even be
permanent changes in the way organs and blood vessels behave.

C. To stay healthy and productive in space and after astronauts return to earth, they follow certain
procedures, strategies, medications, exercise routines, etc. known as countermeasures. What
are some potential countermeasures the Surgeon might suggest to help minimize the effects of
microgravity on the circulatory system, specifically for long-duration flights or on board the ISS?

Resistance training (weight lifting) and cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise to minimize muscle
atrophy and cardiovascular de-conditioning are very important countermeasures.

D. How might these microgravity studies and results be applied to the treatment or prevention of
circulatory diseases on Earth?

Lack of activity and a sedentary lifestyle may lead to the same problems that astronauts face in
microgravity. As the heart becomes less efficient, other physiological functions of the body are
affected. Long term sedentary lifestyle may lead to permanent changes that may increase risks
of certain cardiac diseases.

Note to teacher: You may wish to introduce your students to the way that the effects of
microgravity on cardiovascular system are studied on Earth. Bed rest studies have proven to be
a useful and reliable method to mimic some of the effects of microgravity on cardiovascular
system. Read more about these studies by following the link below:
http://hacd.jsc.nasa.gov/projects/flight_analogs.cfm.

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Scoring Guide
Suggested 10 points total to be given.
There is 1 additional point possible; however, students should not receive more than 10 total points for
the question, or more than the allotted points per question.

Question Distribution of points

A 3 points 1 point for using systole and diastole

1 point each for identifying each separate pathway

B 4 points 1 point for the role of microgravity in fluid shift

1 point for the role of microgravity in muscle loading and change
1 point for signaling pathway changes
1 point for comparison between long- and short-duration flight
1 additional point if all data points in the graph have been
addressed

C 2 points 1 point for addressing fluids

1 point for addressing muscle

D 1 point 1 point for addressing the effects of sedentary lifestyle on

cardiovascular system and making the connection to the
problems astronauts face in microgravity

Contributors
This problem was developed by the Human Research Program Education and Outreach (HRPEO)
team with the help of NASA subject matter experts and high school AP Instructors.

NASA Experts
Colonel Keith Brandt, MD – Surgeon, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Dr. Joseph Dervay, MD – Surgeon, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Jennifer Fogarty, PhD – Innovation Lead, Space Life Science Directorate, NASA Johnson Space
Center, Houston, TX

AP Biology Instructors
Sonia Rahmati-Clayton, PhD – Kinkaid School, Independent Day School, Houston, TX
Lisa Brady – Science Lead Teacher K-12 and former instructor of AP Biology and Chemistry,
Alvin Independent School District, TX

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