1. a substance that protects living cells or tissues from damage caused by freezing, typically by reducing ice crystal formation or preventing dehydration during cryopreservation.
Usage: technical; used in biology, medicine, and cryogenics

Examples

• Glycerol is a common cryoprotectant used in the freezing of biological samples.
• The laboratory added a cryoprotectant to the cell suspension before storing it in liquid nitrogen.
• Cryoprotectants are essential for preserving sperm and egg cells for fertility treatments.
• Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a widely used cryoprotectant in stem cell research.
• Without a cryoprotectant, ice crystals would form and destroy the delicate structure of frozen tissues.