Lab 9 – Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) Purification Practice Test

When bacteria are frozen, they do not completely rupture. Instead, the freezing process typically leads to inactivity. In freezing conditions, the water inside the bacterial cells can form ice crystals. While these ice crystals can cause damage to the cell membrane and other cellular structures, complete rupture is not the most common outcome for all frozen cells. Additionally, freezing can lead to changes that cause the bacteria to become inactive, as their metabolic processes slow down significantly because of the low temperatures.

The proper understanding of freezing bacteria indicates that their viability is affected, usually rendering them inactive rather than resulting in complete rupture or multiplication. Thus, the most accurate outcome of freezing bacteria is that they become inactive. This inactivity is reversible upon thawing, allowing the bacteria to regain their function if not damaged too severely.