What physical change occurs to the wood frog's eyes during the absolute metabolic shutdown?

Answer

The lenses freeze solid, causing the eyes to turn white

As the wood frog enters its extreme state of winter dormancy, where it stops breathing and showing any heartbeat or movement, even parts of the optical system undergo complete freezing. The text states that during this process, the freezing is so extensive that the lenses of the eyes freeze solid. This physical change results in the external appearance of the eyes shifting, specifically causing them to turn white. This phenomenon is part of the overall orchestration of ice formation, where freezing is permitted to occur externally or within specific structures, like the lens, while the critical cellular machinery inside the body is protected by the glucose-based cryoprotectant solution.

What physical change occurs to the wood frog's eyes during the absolute metabolic shutdown?

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