Influence of physical factors on logarithmic, quiescent and non-quiescent S. Cerevisiae cells

Abstract

The influence of environmental conditions on eukaryotic cells, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been the subject of numerous scientific studies. Among the most important physical factors affecting cellular growth are temperature, pH, UV, osmotic pressure, mechanical, gravitational force, and ultrasound. Furthermore, those physical parameters refer to the abiotic factors of an ecosystem. They affect living organisms and can have either stimulating or negative effects on cells. In this respect, quiescent (Q), non-quiescent (NQ), and logarithmic cells (Log) of S. cerevisiae were used as а model system to assess the effect of different physical stresses on cellular survival rate. Obtained results revealed that cells in the G0 state are more resilient to various physical impacts from the environment. At the same time, logarithmic and NQ cells showed from 10 % to 90 % lower resistance depending on the physical factor. Moreover, the complex action of various abiotic factors on a living cell determines its biological path, namely entering different phases of the cell cycle, triggering pr