Thermolabile

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thermolabile is the change of enzymes due to temperature.

For example, Harp Seals are white when the are pups, an environmental adaptation which helps them camouflage themselves on top of ice floes. Baby Harp seals cannot swim away from predators (namely polar bears) but the brown colored adult seals can swim away from the polar bears, leaving their young camouflaged on top of the ice floe. When the baby seal is capable of swimming, it jumps in the water and the enzymes are activated by the cold, thus turning their coat brown.