Christmas trees have remarkable abilities. They are evergreen conifers, including spruce, pines and firs, and retain their leaves all year round. After a period of cold acclimation, these trees are able to photosynthesise at temperatures below freezing.
Adjustment to the cold also involves sap that acts as a natural antifreeze. The sap contains sugars and glycol-like proteins that prevent ice crystals forming. The glycol-like proteins, also known as antifreeze proteins or cryoprotective compounds, are specialised proteins that interact with water molecules. They share similar properties with glycol, including the ability to lower the freezing point of water. These molecules are synthesised by the plant.
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