• Question: could cells evolve to adapt in cold weather

    Asked by chickenjoe to Callum, Gina, Katie, Michelle, Sam on 19 Nov 2012.
    • Photo: Michelle Linterman

      Michelle Linterman answered on 19 Nov 2012:

      Great question, It can happen, and it has!

      There are fish, plants and insects who can live at super cold temperatures because their cells contain an anti-freeze protein that makes sure this cell does not freeze and burst. This protein evolved about 1-2 million years ago on this half of the world, but in Antarctica it has been around for about 20 million years!

      Michelle

    • Photo: Callum Johnston

      Callum Johnston answered on 19 Nov 2012:

      Remember cells make up all living things from bacteria plants animals and humans. Over time different things have adapted to live in cold weather different ways. Like Michelle said some cells contain an anti-freeze protein whereas others have evolved to have big wooly coats which keep them warm, like Polar Bears.

    • Photo: Katie Howe

      Katie Howe answered on 19 Nov 2012:

      Hello chickenjoe! Nice question 😀

      Cold tempearatures are generally bad for cells as they contain a lot of water which could freeze and damage the cells. As Michelle said the anti-freeze protein is really useful for stopping this problem.

      Other ways that cells adapt to cold weather is by the evolution of enzymes which work at these low temeparatures. Enzymes are special molecules which speed up the processes that are happening in the cell. It is important that these enzymes can keep working at low temepeartures otherwise the cell would stop doing all the things it needs to do to survive – like grow and respire.

      When cells are packed together in an organism like a plant or animal they can work together to protect against the cold – for example in a lot of animals the muscle cells shorten and cause hairs to stand on end. This traps air and helps to keep us warm.

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