Antarctic fish species that are free to walk in seawater below 0 ° C are due to their anticoagulant glycoprotein in their blood.
Antarctic cod fish . (Source: Internet)
The report of the University of Bochum, Germany on August 23, said the latest research by scientists has decoded the anticoagulant mechanism of glycoprotein.
Scientists at Bochum University have collaborated with US colleagues to study the anticoagulant glycoprotein in the blood of Antarctic cod and discovered, the glycoprotein plays a role of hydration for water molecules, Thereby it is possible to prevent the ice of liquefaction, moreover this role is also shown more clearly when in low temperature environment.
Scientists have observed the movement of anticoagulants glycoprotein and water molecules. Under normal circumstances, water molecules will be unstable and 'volatile' not according to the rules. However, in case of anticoagulant glycoprotein, water molecules will be stable and 'fluctuate' according to the law.
Normally, the blood of fish will freeze at a negative temperature of 0.9 o C. However, because salt reduces the freezing point of seawater, so the seawater in Antarctica usually freezes at minus 4 o C. .
Based on the special anticoagulant effect of glycoprotein, Antarctic fish can freely travel in low temperature environments.