Oxford Scholarship Online: The Biology of Polar Regions

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The Biology of Polar Regions Thomas, D.N. University of Wales, Bangor, UK Fogg, G.E. University of Wales, Bangor, UK. Deceased 2005 Convey, P. British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK Fritsen, C.H. Desert Research Institute, Nevada, USA Gili, J.-M. Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC), Spanish National Research Council, Spain Gradinger, R. University of Fairbanks, Alaska, USA Laybourn-Parry, J. University of Tasmania, Australia Reid, K. Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, Tasmania, Australia Walton, D.W.H. British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK Print publication date: 2008 (this edition) Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: May 2008 Print ISBN-13: 978-0-19-929811-2
2 Stress, adaptation, and survival in polar regions doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298112.003.0002 David N. Thomas G.E. (Tony) Fogg Peter Convey Christian H. Fritsen Josep-Maria Gili Rolf Gradinger Johanna Laybourn-Parry Keith Reid David W.H. Walton Abstract: This chapter deals with the effects of polar conditions on living systems in general, the ways in which microorganisms, plants, and animals are able to adapt to the stresses imposed, and how they come to be in these habitats. Topics covered include effects of low temperature on cell physiology, effects of freezing and freeze resistance, avoidance of chill and keeping warm, wind chill, desiccation, effects of radiation, and biological rhythms in the polar environment. Keywords: polar conditions, adaptation, low temperature, cell physiology, freezing, freeze resistance, wind chill, desiccation, radiation, biological rhythms,