I don't buy that explanation either. Cell membranes should be elastic enough that they wouldn't rupture due to the extremely small volume change from the expansion of water freezing.



However, I don't think the collagen argument is very good either. Bones and connective tissues certainly retain a lot of structural integrity after being frozen and thawed. Ever cut up a frozen thawed chicken vs. a fresh one? Not any difference in the bones/cartilage that I can tell. If bones and cartilage are mostly collagen, why doesn't freezing affect them more than it does soft tissues? Especially when they contain higher percentages of collagen than muscle and skin?



However, ice crystals being formed could rupture both cells and damage collagen.--Ice crystals will damage pretty much anything that contains water.



Ever notice how pure water freezes very clear and tap water or mineral water freezes very foggy. Impurities (both minerals and gasses) cause ice crystals to form in "irregular" ways. How many impurities do you think there are in a rat? When these ice crystals melt, the damage they caused remains.



Rodney

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