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Hypothermia and cellular physiology.

K E Zachariassen¹

¹Department of Zoology, University of Trondheim, Dragvoll, Norway.

Arctic Medical Research

|January 1, 1991

Summary

Cellular physiology is complexly affected by temperature, influencing enzyme rates and ionic regulation. Cells employ strategies like freeze avoidance or controlled freezing to survive extreme temperatures.

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Area of Science:

Cellular Physiology
Biophysics
Biochemistry

Background:

Temperature significantly impacts cellular functions, including enzymatic reaction rates described by the Q10 relationship.
Cellular responses to temperature extremes are mediated by changes in membrane lipids, water interactions, and solute dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the multifaceted effects of temperature on cellular physiology.
To explore the mechanisms underlying cellular injury and survival at hypothermic and subfreezing temperatures.

Main Methods:

Analysis of temperature-dependent enzymatic kinetics (Q10 relationship).
Investigation of temperature-induced phase transitions in membrane lipids and associated water.
Examination of cellular responses to hypothermia and freezing, including ionic regulation and osmotic effects.

Main Results:

Enzymatic rates exhibit exponential temperature dependence (Q10).
Hypothermia can disrupt ionic regulation, causing lethal calcium influx.
Subfreezing temperatures induce injury via cellular freezing, osmotic swelling/shrinking, and lyotropic effects.

Conclusions:

Cells possess sophisticated mechanisms for thermoprotection, including freeze avoidance and controlled freezing.
Freeze avoidance involves ice nucleator removal and antifreeze agents.
Controlled freezing utilizes ice nucleating agents and polyols to mitigate freezing injury.

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