va21@cornell.edu wrote:
> How can the formation of ice crystals in organism that is composed
mainly
> of water, even if it is frozen more quickly?
I know this effect is observed in the laboratory and I had not really
asked
why, but here goes my best guess. Any crystal is a highly organized
structure which is made up of smaller repeating units. The process is
one
in which small units form first and then are gathered into a larger
structure. By quick freezing an object you may be able to slow molecules
down before they are able to become highly organized. (The slower you
cool
any crystal the more perfect its structure) It is large crystals which
are
problems for cells. They do nasty things like tearing cell membranes.
If
you freeze an object very quickly the crystals are probably kept in a
less
organized state and of a diameter which is not particularly dangerous to
cells.
I hope that helped. Peter