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Text Box: Text Box: Life forms on Earth are familiar with and have adapted to the force known as gravity. When gravity is removed or changed in any way, the biological processes of human beings can be affected drastically. Elongated exposure in situations of low gravity is known to affect humans adversely. Fluid redistribution remains to be on of the most serious effects. When bodily fluids move from the lower body to the extremities, the brain interprets this as an increase in total volume of fluid in the body, causing the excretion of fluids and leaving astronauts prone to dehydration. Low-gravity also affects bone structure and formation. Bone deterioration is accelerated when a person is exposed to prolonged time in a low-gravity situation. It has been shown in numerous studies that the stresses on the body provided by gravity stimulate bone formation and strengthen bones by increasing the density of the bones. Similarly, muscle atrophy is a result of lack of use of muscles. In low-gravity situations, movement is much less dependant on muscles and require a lot less exertion, causing the muscles to become atrophied. Although it has not yet been determined why it occurs, scientists have found that increased weightlessness will have an adverse effect on the red blood cell count of a person. Eventually it could lead to mild cases of anemia. This condition is believed to be non-life threatening. Despite all the negative aspects of low-gravity situations, most effects are reversible and people will be able to recover to their normal state after they return to Earth or any other normal-gravity situation. Nevertheless, it is important for people who travel to space to be in superb physical condition as the effects can worsen or magnify with a lack of fitness.