cryoprotective
Prevents ice damage
Cryoprotective describes substances or measures that protect biological tissue from damage during freezing.
Cryoprotective agents like glycerol or dimethyl sulfoxide prevent ice crystals from forming inside cells, which would otherwise rupture membranes: The embryos were treated with a cryoprotective solution before storage.
The term appears in contexts ranging from organ preservation to the freeze tolerance of arctic fish.
Trihydric alcohol, viscous, sweet
- dimethyl sulfoxideOrganosulfur solvent and penetrant
- sucroseGlucose-fructose disaccharide
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- prolineCyclic non-essential amino acid
Low-temperature biological preservation
- sperm bankingFreezing cells for future fertility
- seed banksStorage for genetic diversity
- cord bloodFluid from severed umbilicus
- biobankingSystematic storage of biological specimens
Organisms surviving extreme conditions
- tardigradesMicroscopic invertebrates, extremely resilient
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
- overwinteringEnduring the cold months
- wood frogsAmphibians that endure freezing
vitrification
Transformation into glass
- supercoolingLiquid chilled below freezing
glycerol
Trihydric alcohol, viscous, sweet
- dimethyl sulfoxideOrganosulfur solvent and penetrant
- sucroseGlucose-fructose disaccharide
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
proline · betaine · sorbitol · mannitol · polyethylene glycol
cryopreservation
Low-temperature biological preservation
- sperm bankingFreezing cells for future fertility
- seed banksStorage for genetic diversity
- cord bloodFluid from severed umbilicus
extremophiles
Organisms surviving extreme conditions
- tardigradesMicroscopic invertebrates, extremely resilient
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
- overwinteringEnduring the cold months