How is the cooling of organs and tissues for medical transplants associated with the effect of temperature upon enzymatic reactions?
The molecular degradation during the decomposition of organs and tissues is catalyzed by enzymes. The cooling to adequate temperatures of some organs and tissues destined for transplantation reduces that enzyme activity and thus lessens the natural decomposition process. By the same rationale, the cooling reduces the metabolic work of cells and prevents degradation of their own structures to obtain energy. Elevation of temperature later reverts denaturation of enzymes and the organs and tissues also preserved by other specific techniques may be grafted into the receptors.
