ABSTRACT
All Antarctic fish studied so far show two adaptive strategies to life at sub-zero water temperatures; antifreeze glycoproteins, which act non-colligatively to inhibit ice propagation (DeVries, 1983), and elevated plasma electrolyte levels (150–200mosmolI−1 higher than that of temperate marine teleosts: Holmes & Donaldson, 1969; Dobbs & DeVries, 1975; O’Grady, Ellory & DeVries, 1983), equivalent to a freezing point reduction of 0·4°C. However, Prosser, Mackay & Kato (1970) have argued that the elevated plasma Na+ concentration is an energy-saving device, resulting in a smaller concentration gradient between fish plasma and salt water, which allows the composition of the former to be maintained at a lower metabolic cost.
© 1987 by Company of Biologists
1987
You do not currently have access to this content.