MadSci Network: Biochemistry
Query:

Subject: Why don't cold temperatures harden seal blubber?

Date: Tue Jan 13 17:23:44 1998
Posted by Jonathan Powell
Grade level: grad
School: Columbia University
City: New York State/Province: NY
Country: USA
Area of science: Biochemistry
ID: 884733824.Bc
Message:

I understand that fat on animals such as seals, walruses, penguins,
etc. is used for insulation againt the cold.  But when fat gets cold,
it seems to become quite stiff to the point of sometimes becomming
hard and inflexible.  Since the point of fat in these animals is to
insulate -- and not to be kept warm itself -- what keeps the fat
layers from becomming rigid with exposure to the cold?  Some animals
such as penguins inhabit extremely cold environments, both in air
and water.  What am I missing here?


Re: Why don't cold temperatures harden seal blubber?

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