Pollen grains can be stored for years in liquid nitrogen at what temperature?

-196°C

Pollen grains can be stored for years in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196°C (celsius). Liquid nitrogen is an extremely cold substance that is commonly used for long-term storage of biological samples, including pollen grains.

At such low temperatures, the metabolic activities of the pollen grains are significantly slowed down or halted, preserving their viability over an extended period. The low temperature helps to prevent cellular damage and degradation that would occur under normal conditions.

Liquid nitrogen, which has a boiling point of -196°C, provides a stable and consistent environment for the storage of pollen grains. It keeps the samples in a state of suspended animation, allowing them to retain their reproductive potential for a prolonged duration.

By storing pollen grains in liquid nitrogen at -196°C, researchers and plant breeders can establish pollen banks, similar to seed banks. These banks serve as repositories of genetic diversity and resources for crop breeding programs. The preserved pollen can be thawed and used in controlled pollination experiments or for artificial insemination in plant breeding efforts.

The extremely low temperature of -196°C provided by liquid nitrogen is crucial for maintaining the viability and genetic integrity of stored pollen grains over long periods, enabling their utilization in various research and breeding applications.