Honors Theses and Capstones
Date of Award
Spring 2025
Project Type
Senior Honors Thesis
College or School
COLSA
Department
Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Science
Program or Major
Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
First Advisor
Anna O'Brien
Abstract
Freezing presents a significant abiotic stress to aquatic plants, yet little is known about the mechanisms by which species like Lemna minor (duckweed) survive subzero temperatures in nature. This study investigates whether L. minor employs freeze-avoidance or freeze-tolerance strategies and explores the potential role of its microbiome in enhancing cold resilience. Using both field-collected fronds from naturally frozen ponds and controlled freezing experiments in the lab, I assessed survival through viability staining and post-thaw survival. Results showed that L. minor can survive natural ice encasement and that prior cold acclimation significantly improves tissue survival under induced freezing. Trypan blue staining revealed a reduction in tissue damage among acclimated fronds compared to those exposed directly to freezing. Microbial presence during acclimation and freezing showed a modest, non-significant trend toward improved survival. These findings suggest that L. minor possesses intrinsic freeze-tolerance capabilities, positioning duckweed as a promising model for further cold stress research.
Recommended Citation
Bouchard, Tamara, "Investigating the Mechanisms of Freeze Tolerance in Lemna minor" (2025). Honors Theses and Capstones. 909.
https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/909
Survival.R (1 kB)
field data.csv (1 kB)
Trypan data.csv (1 kB)
Survival Data.csv (3 kB)