Freezing resistance in some Antarctic fishes

Science. 1969 Mar 7;163(3871):1073-5. doi: 10.1126/science.163.3871.1073.

Abstract

Measurements of serum freezing points in three Antarctic marine fishes indicated that they do not freeze in the -1.87 degrees C seawater because their blood is isosmotic to seawater. Concentrations of sodium chloride, urea, and free amino acids in the serum accounted for only half of the freezing-point depression of the serum. A protein containing carbohydrate was isolated which accounted for 30 percent of the freezing-point depression of the serum.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / blood
  • Animals
  • Blood Proteins
  • Fishes*
  • Freezing*
  • Glycoproteins / blood
  • Marine Biology
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Sodium Chloride / blood
  • Urea / blood

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Blood Proteins
  • Glycoproteins
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Urea