cryoprotectant
Cellular ice inhibitor
A cryoprotectant is a substance that protects biological tissue from damage during freezing.
Cells rupture when ice crystals form inside them; cryoprotectants like glycerol or dimethyl sulfoxide prevent this by lowering the freezing point or replacing water.
They're essential for preserving sperm, eggs, embryos, and organs for transplant: The embryos were treated with cryoprotectant before storage in liquid nitrogen.
Transformation into glass
- supercoolingLiquid chilled below freezing
- freezing point depressionSolute lowers solidification temperature
- hydrogen bondingIntermolecular dipole attraction
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
recrystallization · thawing · cooling rate · penetrating · permeability · toxicity · concentration
Trihydric alcohol, viscous, sweet
- dimethyl sulfoxideOrganosulfur solvent and penetrant
- sucroseGlucose-fructose disaccharide
- polyethylene glycolWaxy synthetic polymer chain
- methanolToxic one-carbon alcohol
mannitol · sorbitol · glucose · dextran · proline · serine · betaine · glycine
Low-temperature gamete storage
- stem cellsUndifferentiated cells with regenerative potential
- blood storagePreserving donated plasma and cells
- cord bloodFluid from severed umbilicus
- gametesReproductive cells for fusion
Microscopic resilient eight-legged animal
- wood frogFreeze-tolerant forest amphibian
- overwinteringEnduring the cold months
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
vitrification
Transformation into glass
- supercoolingLiquid chilled below freezing
- freezing point depressionSolute lowers solidification temperature
- hydrogen bondingIntermolecular dipole attraction
dehydration · recrystallization · thawing · cooling rate · penetrating · permeability · toxicity · concentration
glycerol
Trihydric alcohol, viscous, sweet
- dimethyl sulfoxideOrganosulfur solvent and penetrant
- sucroseGlucose-fructose disaccharide
- polyethylene glycolWaxy synthetic polymer chain
methanol · mannitol · sorbitol · glucose · dextran · proline · serine · betaine · glycine · lactose
sperm freezing
Low-temperature gamete storage
- stem cellsUndifferentiated cells with regenerative potential
- blood storagePreserving donated plasma and cells
- cord bloodFluid from severed umbilicus
tardigrade
Microscopic resilient eight-legged animal
- wood frogFreeze-tolerant forest amphibian
- overwinteringEnduring the cold months
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
protect, protection, protective, cryostat, protectant, cryosphere, cryogenic, cryosurgery, cryopreservation