[Action of cooling on cells and the body as a multifactorial process]

The role of different cryogenic factors in the process of freezing and thawing of the cells and other biological systems is discussed. Attention is paid to the fact that cryo injury is arising all over freezing-thawing, to be eventually determined by the effect of the complex of damaging factors. It is shown that a successful anabiosis under very low temperatures depends upon the functional state of the organism before cooling, morphophysiology of cells, their reaction to supercooling, extra- and intracellular crystallization, and on rates and duration of cooling and warming.