FROSTS

gentian gentian21@insightbb.com
Tue, 13 Nov 2007 11:50:55 PST
Could it be that rapid thawing stimulates an infusion of water that was
blocked by the freezing thus causing more pressure on the cells that are
still partially frozen?
Frank Cooper
central Illinois
zone 5b

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John T Lonsdale" <john@johnlonsdale.net>
To: "'Pacific Bulb Society'" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:27 AM
Subject: Re: [pbs] FROSTS


> The size and shape of ice crystals is directly related to the amount of
> damage they cause, particularly in disrupting cellular organelles like
> membranes.  Their size/shape is affected by the rate of freezing, among
> other parameters.  Rapid and multiple freeze-thaw cycles are very bad for
> all living cells.  Minimizing the number of freeze-thaw cycles and 
> allowing
> controlled thawing make a big difference - cells can repair a certain 
> amount
> of damage, but not rapidly and constantly.
>
> I think of frost as the white stuff that coats things but isn't ice or 
> snow.
> Freezing is a descriptor of temperature - i.e. a temperature below the
> freezing point of whatever the material is.  You can freeze without
> encountering frost.
>
> Best,
>
> J.
>
> John T Lonsdale PhD
> 407 Edgewood Drive,
> Exton, Pennsylvania 19341, USA
>
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>
> USDA Zone 6b
>
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>
>
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