Question

Some arctic fish produce a substance similar to the ethylene glycol used as antifreeze in cars. In terms of the freezing point of water, explain how the compound might help them survive in their habitat.

Short answer

Arctic fish produce a substance similar to ethylene glycol that can lower the freezing point of their internal fluids, thus preventing them from freezing in the cold arctic waters.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding ethylene glycol

Ethylene glycol is a common ingredient found in car antifreeze. Its structure allows it to bond both with other antifreeze molecules and water molecules, forming a sort of 'bridge' that can trap water molecules and prevent them from freezing.

Freezing point depression

The freezing point depression is a phenomenon that occurs when a solute is added to a solvent - it lowers its freezing point. Hence, if ethylene glycol is present in the water (either externally or internally inside an organism), it can prevent or at least lower the freezing point of water.

Application to arctic fish

This can be very beneficial for aric fish. If fish in arctic waters can produce a substance similar to ethylene glycol, they can lower the freezing point of their internal fluids, preventing them from freezing solid in the cold arctic waters.

Key concepts

Ethylene Glycol

Ethylene glycol is a key ingredient in car antifreeze solutions. It is known for its ability to lower the freezing point of water, making it essential for keeping car engines from freezing in cold weather.
This compound can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, effectively disrupting the orderly structure that occurs when water freezes.

A solution containing ethylene glycol has a significant impact on the freezing point due to a phenomenon known as freezing point depression. When ethylene glycol is mixed with water, it interferes with the formation of a rigid ice lattice, thereby lowering the temperature at which the water freezes.

• Prevents water molecules from aligning in an ordered structure needed for freezing
• Helps maintain liquid state in temperatures below water's normal freezing point

This ability to keep fluids liquid at lower temperatures is why ethylene glycol is utilized in antifreeze for both vehicles and potentially even in biological systems.

Arctic Fish Survival

Arctic fish live in extreme environments where water temperatures can drop below the freezing point of water. For these fish, survival depends on preventing the internal fluids in their bodies from freezing. One way they achieve this is by using substances similar to ethylene glycol.
The concept of freezing point depression comes into play here.

By internally producing compounds that can lower the freezing point of water, these fish manage to avoid freezing in cold environments.

• Internal 'antifreeze' compounds lower freezing points of bodily fluids
• Ensure blood and cellular fluids remain in liquid state

This adaptation is crucial for their survival in icy waters, allowing them to thrive in habitats where freezing conditions are a daily challenge.
Without such mechanisms, arctic fish would not be able to survive in such harsh conditions.

Antifreeze Compounds

Antifreeze compounds are essential for both mechanical systems, like cars, and biological systems, like arctic marine life. These compounds, which include ethylene glycol and naturally occurring substances in organisms, lower the freezing point of water.

In cars, antifreeze prevents engine coolant from freezing in cold temperatures, ensuring the engine remains functional. Similarly, in living organisms like arctic fish, antifreeze compounds maintain bodily fluids in a liquid state, despite sub-freezing temperatures.

• Reduce freezing points by disrupting ice crystal formation
• Ensure proper functioning of systems or biological processes in cold environments

These compounds can attach to water molecules, preventing them from bonding together to form ice. They play a crucial role in adaptation and survival in freezing climates. The same principles used to formulate car antifreeze solutions are mirrored in nature's design to keep certain organisms alive through harsh winters.