Question

P. americanus produces a small antifreeze protein (afp) that binds to ice crystals as they form. the structure of afp has polar groups on one side and nonpolar groups on the other. propose a hypothesis to explain how afp prevents cells from freezing solid

Answer 1

Answer: AFP binds to ice crystals and forms a nonpolar shell that prevents hydrogen bonding between water molecules to form a larger crystal. By limiting crystal growth, the cell would not freeze solid.

AFP prevent cells freezing by delaying the freeze build up. By binding into the water, AFP prevents it to join themselves and make a bigger ice.