Hi, have some doubts about antifreeze proteins cos i just learnt about them, so am a beginner here.

Firstly, are there any other froms of antifreeze proteins, say creating a artificial, "fake" antifreeze proteins?

Then how do these antifreeze proteins actually help to retard or stop the forming of ice?

Thank you!

Where did you learn about them? I've only heard of sugars being used to prevent ice crystals forming.

In school ..for the fake antifreeze proteins they have been used on some animals

Here's a site about them:

 

http://people.hofstra.edu/faculty/peter_c_daniel/Animal_Physiology/special_topics_fall2001/Temperature/arctic%20flounder/Website/

 

Basically they are glycoproteins (proteins with sugas molecules attached) that bind to the faces of ice crystals and prevent more water molecules from attaching and thus stop crystal growth.

Theres been alot of threads about antifreeze lately, its not even snowing where I am.

When I'm freezing down cells I use either glycerol or DMSO (Dimethylsulphoxide) to prevent ice crystal formation....hope that helps.