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The Miracle of Life Under the Ice: What Organisms Can Survive in a Sub-Zero World?
In a cold world, how can organisms survive in a frozen environment? When many scientists face this problem, they focus on a special type of protein—antifreeze proteins (AFPs). These proteins, found in animals, plants and microorganisms, may also be the key for organisms to thrive in a subzero world.
Antifreeze protein is a peptide that can protect cells below the freezing temperature of water and prevent the growth of ice crystals, saving many organisms in extremely cold environments.
The mechanism by which antifreeze proteins work is unusual. These proteins generally do not lower the freezing point with increasing concentration, but rather work in a non-colloidal manner. Recent research has shown interactions between these proteins and cell membranes during cold periods, which may help cells survive the cooling process without damage. Some organisms, such as Arctic fish and certain insects, are fully resistant to freezing, while others can survive freezing of their cellular fluids.
The presence of antifreeze proteins allows these species to survive in cold and harsh environments. The diversity of these proteins further emphasizes the mystery and wonder of nature.
Antifreeze proteins are divided into different types, mainly including those derived from fish, plants and insects. Among fish, Antarctic seafood and northern cod are famous sources of antifreeze protein. These antifreeze proteins were developed from a single gene and evolved independently across species, displaying an astonishing ability to adapt to diversity and competition.
For example, the antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP) in Antarctic fish such as Antarctic fish can remain mobile in water as low as -2°C, showing how they have successfully evolved in their respective ecological niches. Freeze resistance.
The adaptations of these fishes show clear convergent evolution, meaning that even though they are not directly genetically related to each other, they still develop similar characteristics to cope with extreme environmental challenges.
In addition to #fish, plants have also demonstrated the ability to survive cold conditions. The antifreeze proteins of many plants show strong functionality in inhibiting the recrystallization of ice crystals, allowing them to thrive in icy soil. Winter wheat, for example, has antifreeze proteins that have been shown to function in subzero environments, allowing them to survive and thrive even in extreme conditions.
The antifreeze proteins in insects are also quite special. For example, some insects such as the polar horned beetle have antifreeze proteins that are structurally similar to proteins found in fish. These insects are generally able to survive in conditions of -30°C, fully demonstrating the evolutionary adaptability between different species. Insect antifreeze proteins tend to have higher thermal hysteresis values, meaning they are able to remain liquid at temperatures lower than freezing.
This proves that even in remote and extreme environments, organisms can continue to survive by relying on their unique biological mechanisms.
Of course, antifreeze proteins are not the only factor that allows organisms to survive in cold environments. Many organisms have also developed other mechanisms such as cold tolerance, whereby some organisms are able to maintain a cooling liquid state within their bodies even though such liquid has frozen in the external environment. As for some microorganisms in low-temperature environments, their structure and function enable them to withstand low temperatures even near zero.
The existence of life in this harsh environment is astonishing. Whether in the icy waters of Antarctica or in the cold boreal forests, these seemingly fragile creatures show great vitality. Their survival depends not only on the presence of antifreeze proteins, but also on processes of adaptation and evolution. This makes us think about how these creatures will adapt and evolve to survive under the challenges of climate change and environmental change in the future, and how can humans themselves learn and draw on these natural wisdoms?
