What chemical identified as a cryoprotectant enables the banded woolly bear to survive freezing solid in extreme cold?
Answer
Glycerol
The process by which the woolly bear larva survives sub-freezing temperatures relies on the production of a natural cryoprotectant within its tissues, which is identified specifically as glycerol. This substance functions fundamentally like antifreeze, drastically lowering the freezing point of the internal cellular fluids. This biological antifreeze prevents internal cellular damage even when most of the caterpillar's physical mass freezes solid, allowing cells to withstand temperatures as low as $-90$ degrees Fahrenheit in northern latitudes. This adaptation is crucial for survival during prolonged periods of biological stasis in winter environments.
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