Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: therodgers21 on 07/09/2008 14:44:37

Title: Why don't fish freeze?
Post by: therodgers21 on 07/09/2008 14:44:37

therodgers21  asked the Naked Scientists:

Hi,

How can fish not freeze solid in Antarctic water? Can't we use it?

Love the podcasts (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/) & hope you had a great vacation.
 
From Silicon Valley ; where denial is sold by the share,
Bruce Rodgers

What do you think?

Title: Why don't fish freeze?
Post by: blakestyger on 10/09/2008 19:27:11

We do use it!

Antarctic and Arctic fish don't freeze at the very low water temperatures found there because their genomes posses a gene that is expressed as glycoprotein, an anti-freeze protein, in their blood plasma. This depresses the freezing point of their blood in the same way that ethylene glycol works in an engine block.

Title: Why don't fish freeze?
Post by: Evie on 10/09/2008 21:51:29

And also genetically engineered tomatoes that are frost-resistant!