Question

Biological molecules and their chemical properties affect cellular processes and biochemical reactions. Arctic fish produce large amounts of antifreeze proteins during cold winter months. These proteins prevent water from forming large ice crystals and damaging soft tissue. Would you expect these proteins to be hydrophobic or hydrophilic? Explain your answer with reference to the role of the proteins.

Answer 1

Ice crystal controlling proteins include both antifreeze and ice nucleation proteins. Antifreeze proteins minimize freezing damage by inhibiting growth of large ice crystals, while ice nucleation proteins induce formation of embryonic ice crystals.