cryopreserving
Freezing for later
Cryopreserving is the act of preserving biological material by cooling it to extremely low temperatures, typically using liquid nitrogen.
The process suspends cellular activity, allowing long-term storage of sperm, eggs, embryos, tissue samples, or even whole organs: The clinic is cryopreserving embryos for future use.
See also cryogenic, cryonics.
Transformation into glass
- liquid nitrogenCryogenic form of air's main component
- cryoprotectantSubstance preventing ice damage
- glycerolTrihydric alcohol, viscous, sweet
- thawingFrozen matter liquefying
Study of low-temperature life effects
- cryogenicsUltralow temperature science
- cryosurgeryCold-based tissue destruction
- suspended animationHalted vital functions, reversible
- researchSystematic fact-finding effort
Earliest developmental organisms
- spermMale reproductive cell
- ovaFemale reproductive cells
- oocytesImmature female reproductive cells
- stem cellsUndifferentiated cells with regenerative potential
tissue samples · blood cells · cord blood · blastocysts · gametes · cell lines · bone marrow · corneas
Freezing bodies for revival
- immortalityExemption from death
- life extensionProlonging human lifespan artificially
- reanimationRestoration of life
- revivalReturn after decline
Donor gamete storage facility
- egg bankFacility storing frozen ova
- cryobankFrozen tissue storage facility
- seed vaultStorage for plant germplasm
- inventoryCatalog of held assets
retrieval · long-term storage · donor registry · fertility clinic
Hereditary tissue for propagation
- seedsPlant embryos in casings
- endangered speciesOrganisms facing extinction risk
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- genetic diversityAllelic variation within populations
ex-situ · flora · fauna · wildlife · cloning · rewilding · botanical · zoological
vitrification
Transformation into glass
- liquid nitrogenCryogenic form of air's main component
- cryoprotectantSubstance preventing ice damage
- glycerolTrihydric alcohol, viscous, sweet
thawing · rewarming · supercooling · dehydration · cooling rate
cryobiology
Study of low-temperature life effects
- cryogenicsUltralow temperature science
- cryosurgeryCold-based tissue destruction
- suspended animationHalted vital functions, reversible
research · laboratory · protocols · quality control · standardization
embryos
Earliest developmental organisms
tissue samples · stem cells · blood cells · cord blood · blastocysts · gametes · cell lines · bone marrow · corneas · skin grafts
cryonics
Freezing bodies for revival
- immortalityExemption from death
- life extensionProlonging human lifespan artificially
- reanimationRestoration of life
sperm bank
Donor gamete storage facility
- egg bankFacility storing frozen ova
- cryobankFrozen tissue storage facility
- seed vaultStorage for plant germplasm
inventory · retrieval · long-term storage · donor registry · fertility clinic
germplasm
Hereditary tissue for propagation
- seedsPlant embryos in casings
- endangered speciesOrganisms facing extinction risk
- biodiversityRange of life forms
genetic diversity · ex-situ · flora · fauna · wildlife · cloning · rewilding · botanical · zoological
cryopreservingwarming
Increasing in temperature
thawing · heating · incubating · pasteurizing · defrosting
cryopreservingdestroying
Causing complete ruin
incinerating · degrading · sterilizing · killing · decomposing
cryopreservingdecaying
Undergoing organic breakdown
decomposing · rotting · putrefying · spoiling · degrading
frozen, freezing, preserve, preservation, preserving, preservative, cryostat, cryotherapy, cryogenic