What biochemical compounds does the caterpillar actively produce to survive being partially frozen during winter?
Answer
Cryoprotectants
A critical adaptation allowing the Woolly Bear to survive harsh cold environments is an internal biochemical change that occurs prior to full hibernation. As temperatures drop in late autumn, the caterpillar initiates the production of specialized compounds known as cryoprotectants. These substances function as natural antifreeze, lowering the freezing point of the internal fluids, thereby enabling the caterpillar to endure periods where parts of its body tissue might actually freeze solid without sustaining lethal cellular damage.
Related Questions
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