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A deep freeze is not cold enough to preserve cells in a form that allows them to be thawed and "revived" later. Liquid nitrogen is much colder than a deep freeze. Liquid nitrogen freezes the cells so quickly that only very tiny ice crystals form in the cells. In an ordinary deep freeze the cells produce larger ice crystals which damage the cell's structure. This is also why it's hard to freeze raw fruits and vegetables successfully at home.

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Q: Why do you preserve cells in liquid nitrogen and not in deep freeze?
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What is the purpose of that method freeze etch techniques?

The purpose of the freeze-fracture technique is to examine the pattern of integral membrane proteins. The first step is to use liquid nitrogen to freeze the cells.


Can liquid nitrogen be used as a fertilizer for agriculture?

No. Firstly liquid nitrogen has a boiling point of 77K. That's -196degrees Celsius, which will freeze all water in contact with it. Not only will the roots not be able to take up water from the soil, water within the plant cells will also freeze, damaging the roots. Secondly, liquid nitrogen will vaporize rapidly when exposed to the environment, which is at room temperature. This means that when liquid nitrogen is poured into the soil, it is not different from the plant absorbing nitrogen in the form of gaseous nitrogen. Thirdly, nitrogen uptake is best facilitated in the aqueous form, ie. dissolved in water in the form of nitrate or ammonium ions. Liquid nitrogen/gaseous nitrogen do not dissolve very well in water.


How would you describe the freeze etch techniques?

A technique used to look at membranes that reveal the pattern of integral membrane proteins. Cells are quickly frozen in liquid nitrogen.


What is the physics behind the cryosurgery how does it function?

Cryosurgery is a form of cancer treatment where liquid nitrogen is used to freeze abnormal cells. This is used as an alternative to surgery for cancers such as: kidney, liver, cervix and skin.?æ


What is liquid nitrogen used for?

Liquid nitrogen has many usages:To freeze food instantaneously (flash freezing) so it can be preserved the way it looks and not let it sit in a freezer and let it change its physical structure over time. Similarly, for long term storage of viable cells like the sperm of animals such as bulls, race stallions, pedigree dogs, or humans in a sperm bank.In the kitchen for molecular gastronomy or for the preparation of ice cream.With superconductors that work better at extremely low temperatures.In agriculture it is degassed and directly injected into the ground when a pure nitrogen fertilizer is required.In chemical industry to make ammonia, nitric acid and other compounds.In cryogenics.


Can you freeze green onions?

If you flash freeze it, it should be ok. If you just put in the the freezer, the liquid in the plant cells will expand and rupture the cell walls of the union leaving you with mush when it is defrosted.


When the cells of the most organisms freeze they burst which property of water causes this to occur?

water is less dense as a solid than as a liquid


Function of Liquid Nitrogen in DNA extraction?

liquid nitrogen (-170 C) which it freeze the tissue to become fragile to be a fine powder which increase the surface area of extraction, and the very low temperature prevent DNase activation * the primary function of this step is to lyse the cells


What is cryogenic surgery?

The selective exposure of tissues to extreme cold, often by applying a probe containing liquid nitrogen, to bring about the destruction or elimination of abnormal cells/ cancer.


What are nitrogen fixing cells?

Cells that take nitrogen in the air and make to a form that plants can take in from the soil.


Plant cells that absorb water and nitrogen compounds?

root cells


The role of cryopreservation on organ preservation?

The principle behind cryopreservation is to slow down all biological and biochemical processes to a standstill. Cells can be held in this deep frozen state almost endlessly and can later be revived when the need arises. This method of preservation uses liquid nitrogen to reach temperatures at low as -790C. Organs are first treated with substances called cryoprotectants to protect them from what is known as freeze shock - where the intricacies of tissues in an organ may be destroyed due to rapid cooling. Cryoprotectants help preserve the organs at extreme cold temperatures. The organs care cooled rapidly to prevent the formation of ice crystals. If the tissues are cooled slowly, ice crystals will be formed and then tend to rupture cells and destroy cellular organelles. When an organ comes out of the liquid nitrogen, it is brought back to room temperature by rapid thawing. This is again to prevent the formation of ice crystals. Organs are then revived before implantation.