Discover how frogs survive in the cold winters, withstand freezing temperatures, and turn themselves into popsicles through this frozen frog science experiment!
Frogs can be found near lakes, streams, rivers, and creeks from spring through fall. My kids have caught several frogs on nature hikes (don’t worry, they released the frogs promptly). But where do frogs go in the winter?
These remarkable amphibians, particularly wood frogs, have developed a unique ability to withstand freezing temperatures. As the cold season approaches, these tiny creatures undergo an amazing transformation that allows them to essentially come back to life after being frozen solid.
This frozen frog science experiment explores the captivating world of hibernating frogs and the science behind their extraordinary adaptation. This hands-on activity will simulate the freezing process of wood frogs and uncover how these resilient animals survive such extreme conditions.
Prepare to be amazed by the incredible survival skills of frogs!
What Happens to Wood Frogs in Winter?
When temperatures drop, wood frogs undergo an incredible transformation. Their bodies produce special proteins that cause water in their blood to freeze while pumping a mixture of glucose (a type of sugar), urea, and glycerol into their cells. This natural antifreeze prevents ice crystals from forming inside the cells, protecting them from rupturing.
As winter progresses, ice continues to fill the frog’s abdominal cavity and surrounds its internal organs. The eyes turn white as the lens freezes, and the heart stops beating. It’s as if the wood frog has turned into a lump of ice carved in the shape of a frog.
The massive amounts of syrupy solution the liver produces prevent cell damage and dehydration, allowing wood frogs to thaw unharmed in spring and resume their normal lives.
Frozen Frog Science Experiment
Materials:
- Freezer
- Pancake Syrup or Maple Syrup
- Water
- Small Plastic Cups with Lids
- Permanent Marker
Instructions:
1. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of syrup (we used maple) into one cup and water into another.
2. While the cups are on a flat surface, mark the water and syrup level with a permanent marker.
3. Secure the lids and place the cups in the freezer overnight.
4. Once the water has frozen solid, remove both cups.
5. Place the cups on a flat surface. Note that the water level rose above the line once frozen, while the syrup level stayed the same.
6. Use your finger or a spoon to compare the frozen water to the syrup.
The kids were shocked to observe that the water was frozen solid while the sugary syrup resisted freezing! In fact, the viscosity of the maple syrup didn’t change much from room temperature to freezing.
This experiment demonstrates how the glucose in a wood frog’s body acts as a natural antifreeze, protecting its cells from damage. If the cells were filled with water instead, the cells would have ruptured as water expands when frozen.
Like the syrup, the frog’s glucose-rich bodily fluids don’t freeze solid, allowing it to survive extreme cold.
This simple syrup experiment only gives us a glimpse of nature’s remarkable adaptations to extreme conditions. There is still so much more to discover about animals’ incredible adaptations!
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