Skip to main content
Home / Cryoletters, Volume 23, Number 1

Free Content Freezing rate affects the survival of a short-term freezing stress in Panagrolaimus davidi, an antarctic nematode that survives intracellular freezing

Download Article:

Authors: Wharton, D.A.; Goodall, G.; Marshall, C.J.

Source: Cryoletters, Volume 23, Number 1, January/February 2002, pp. 5-10(6)

Publisher: Cryoletters

The ability of the Antarctic nematode Panagrolaimus davidi to survive a short-term freezing stress depended upon the rate of freezing of its surroundings, measured as the duration of the sample exotherm. The freezing rate increased as the sample volume and freezing temperature decreased and resulted in fewer nematodes surviving. This appears to be due to the greater risk of physical damage by ice crystal growth at high freezing rates. Once frozen the nematodes will then survive exposure to lower temperatures. The environment of the nematode is likely to produce the slow rate of freezing of its surroundings that is necessary for its survival.

Keywords: COOLING RATE; EXOTHERM DURATION; FREEZE TOLERANCE; FREEZING RATE; INTRACELLULAR FREEZING

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 01 January 2002

More about this publication?

  • CryoLetters is a bimonthly international journal for low temperature sciences, including cryobiology, cryopreservation or vitrification of cells and tissues, chemical and physical aspects of freezing and drying, and studies involving ecology of cold environments, and cold adaptation

    The journal publishes original research reports, authoritative reviews, technical developments and commissioned book reviews of studies of the effects produced by low temperatures on a wide variety of scientific and technical processes, or those involving low temperature techniques in the investigation of physical, chemical, biological and ecological problems.

Share Content

  • Access Key
  • Free content
  • Partial Free content
  • New content
  • Open access content
  • Partial Open access content
  • Subscribed content
  • Partial Subscribed content
  • Free trial content