What natural cryoprotectant protects vital organs in the Wood Frog during freezing?

Answer

Glucose (a form of sugar)

The survival of the wood frog in harsh northern winters relies on a remarkable physiological adaptation involving cryoprotectants. When temperatures plummet, the frog produces high concentrations of glucose, which is a type of sugar, within its vital organs, specifically mentioning the heart and brain. This high concentration of glucose functions to act as an antifreeze agent. This mechanism is crucial because it protects the cells from lethal damage caused by internal ice crystal formation and severe dehydration. While ice crystals form throughout the frog’s body, filling up to 65% of its body water, the glucose ensures that the water inside the cells remains unfrozen, thereby preventing fatal cellular rupture during the prolonged frozen state.

What natural cryoprotectant protects vital organs in the Wood Frog during freezing?

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animalamphibianfrogwood frog