Biophysics and Biochemistry at Low Temperatures

by Felix Franks

• ISBN13: 9780521269322
• ISBN10: 0521269326
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-07-19
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Cold is the single most important enemy of life, and this book discusses the responses of living organisms to low temperatures. Subfreezing temperatures in particular affect the properties of water, which is essential to life, and the book describes the physics and chemistry of water in the .context of physiology. Injury from cooling and the way in which organisms respond and survive, as well as the mechanism of cold hardening in micro-organisms, insects and plants are discussed. The laboratory exploitation of low temperatures to preserve life and to protect labile materials, against freeze damage is also considered.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Water, temperature and life

The physics of water at subzero temperatures

Physical chemistry of aqueous solutions at subzero temperatures

Cryobiochemistry - responses of proteins to suboptimal temperatures

The single cell: responses to chill and freezing

Freeze avoidance in living organisms

Freeze tolerance in living organisms

Cryobiology: the laboratory preservation of cells, tissues and organs

The technology of metastable water

Matters arising

References

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.