Antifreeze Proteins in Antarctica Fish The shifting of the earth’s continents, a geological factor which has occurred for millions of years, changes our world. Hundreds of species live on earth and millions before our time have walked on its land and swam in its waters. Nevertheless those species change. They either adapt to anything life throws at them or they die off. It is an evolutionary process which is undergone time and time again. Species die and species evolve. Habitats alter and species alter with it. As the planet changes, life on it changes too.
When South America was connected to Antarctica millions of years ago, warm air from the north could flow into the waters down south. The Antarctic seas were much warmer than they have …show more content…
When the proteins attach to a piece of ice inside the fish or even in water, the ice is prevented from melting even when beyond its melting point. Mr. Cziko, a doctoral student in ecology and evolution at the University of Oregon has conducted research at the McMurdo Sound Research Station for several seasons and has stated, “[the antifreeze proteins] are antimelting proteins as well.” (Kaplan) Experimental lab studies have portrayed that the internal ice can be melted when exposed to temperatures of 4 degrees Celsius for one hour but this is far above the temperature for Antarctic seawater. The ice, which remains solid beyond its melting point, is called superheated ice. The discovery of superheated ice in these fish may be the first discovery of superheated ice found in nature. Field experiments have confirmed that superheated ice occurs naturally inside wild fish. This means summer warming may not eliminate the internal ice, which may lead to a lifelong accumulation of internal ice shards which could be detrimental to the fish’s health but it remains unclear whether there are adverse …show more content…
There is still much to be learned about antifreeze proteins before they can be put to use in everyday applications but the proteins are thought to be of importance for uses other than just keeping animals alive. Dr. Garth Fletcher, professor of ocean sciences at Memorial’s Ocean Sciences Center (OSC) believes that blood products could be stored for longer periods of time with the use of knowledge on antifreeze proteins found in nature. Blood platelets are commonly stored at room temperature for about five days. After the five days, the blood is discarded. The use of antifreeze proteins could be a solution to extending the shelf life of blood platelets for a much longer amount of time, resulting in less blood needing to be collected and larger supplies available when required. Dr. Fletcher states, "It could change how the marketplace works for this product... of course it will have to go through regulatory agencies before it is used, but it is highly promising" (Hardiman). Fletcher also believes antifreeze protein genes can be injected into salmon eggs to make them more freeze resistant. His is important because salmon do not have antifreeze proteins in them and are incapable of being cultured in sub-zero waters. He has tested the theory and so far, the genes have successfully passed through three salmon generations. Dr. Fletcher has states, "The levels of
When South America was connected to Antarctica millions of years ago, warm air from the north could flow into the waters down south. The Antarctic seas were much warmer than they have …show more content…
When the proteins attach to a piece of ice inside the fish or even in water, the ice is prevented from melting even when beyond its melting point. Mr. Cziko, a doctoral student in ecology and evolution at the University of Oregon has conducted research at the McMurdo Sound Research Station for several seasons and has stated, “[the antifreeze proteins] are antimelting proteins as well.” (Kaplan) Experimental lab studies have portrayed that the internal ice can be melted when exposed to temperatures of 4 degrees Celsius for one hour but this is far above the temperature for Antarctic seawater. The ice, which remains solid beyond its melting point, is called superheated ice. The discovery of superheated ice in these fish may be the first discovery of superheated ice found in nature. Field experiments have confirmed that superheated ice occurs naturally inside wild fish. This means summer warming may not eliminate the internal ice, which may lead to a lifelong accumulation of internal ice shards which could be detrimental to the fish’s health but it remains unclear whether there are adverse …show more content…
There is still much to be learned about antifreeze proteins before they can be put to use in everyday applications but the proteins are thought to be of importance for uses other than just keeping animals alive. Dr. Garth Fletcher, professor of ocean sciences at Memorial’s Ocean Sciences Center (OSC) believes that blood products could be stored for longer periods of time with the use of knowledge on antifreeze proteins found in nature. Blood platelets are commonly stored at room temperature for about five days. After the five days, the blood is discarded. The use of antifreeze proteins could be a solution to extending the shelf life of blood platelets for a much longer amount of time, resulting in less blood needing to be collected and larger supplies available when required. Dr. Fletcher states, "It could change how the marketplace works for this product... of course it will have to go through regulatory agencies before it is used, but it is highly promising" (Hardiman). Fletcher also believes antifreeze protein genes can be injected into salmon eggs to make them more freeze resistant. His is important because salmon do not have antifreeze proteins in them and are incapable of being cultured in sub-zero waters. He has tested the theory and so far, the genes have successfully passed through three salmon generations. Dr. Fletcher has states, "The levels of