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BIO NMDCAT Biological Importance of Water
nmdcat.online June 27, 2026

The survival mechanism of certain freeze-tolerant fish in polar waters involves the synthesis of antifreeze glycoproteins. These proteins function by

A. Increasing the specific heat of the fish's blood
B. Binding to small ice crystals and inhibiting their growth by disrupting the orderly addition of water molecules
✓
C. Decreasing the adhesive properties of water in the fish's tissues
D. Catalyzing the breakdown of water inside the fish's cells to generate heat

📝 Explanation

Antifreeze proteins adsorb to the surface of nascent ice nuclei. Their large, hydrophilic structure sterically hinders and geometrically mismatches the approach and orderly crystallization of further water molecules, effectively stopping ice crystal growth.

📖 Additional Information

  • Increasing the specific heat of the fish's blood
  • Binding to small ice crystals and inhibiting their growth by disrupting the orderly addition of water molecules
  • Decreasing the adhesive properties of water in the fish's tissues
  • Catalyzing the breakdown of water inside the fish's cells to generate heat

Antifreeze proteins adsorb to the surface of nascent ice nuclei. Their large, hydrophilic structure sterically hinders and geometrically mismatches the approach and orderly crystallization of further water molecules, effectively stopping ice crystal growth.

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