# Icefish - The only vertebrate without haemoglobin **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Tags:** mutation, environment, explore\ **Created:** [September 4, 2025, 5:30am UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216 "2025-09-04T05:30:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Priya\_pati](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/priya_pati/32/1654_2.png) [@Priya\_pati](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Priya_pati)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 5:30am UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/1 "2025-09-04T05:30:54Z")
Through many years of evolution, genetic mutations, and natural selection, the Icefish grew to be the first vertebrates to lack hemoglobin.the Icefish’s hemoglobin gene underwent a mutation, which rendered the gene to be completely useless,giving the fish its notoriously clear blood.this mutation ultimately benefited the Icefish, as animals with hemoglobin would have died from lack of blood flow in the icy temperatures of the Antarctic Oceans. Although hemoglobin plays an essential part in transporting oxygen, the Icefish found another way to absorb oxygen: they lost their scales and absorbed oxygen through their skin.the frigid Antarctic waters hold more dissolved oxygen than warmer water does.They were also able to create anti-freeze proteins that would bind with ice crystals and prevent them from glowing. What is your opinion on mutations developed due to evolution? Do you think they are beneficial? MBH/AB ---
**Author:** ![dr\_deepika](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/dr_deepika/32/1638_2.png) [@dr\_deepika](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/dr_deepika)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 5:57am UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/2 "2025-09-04T05:57:34Z")
Sometimes mutation is beneficial for evolution and survival. ---
**Author:** ![Sivani](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/sivani/32/1035_2.png) [@Sivani](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Sivani)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 6:24am UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/3 "2025-09-04T06:24:31Z")
Mutations themselves are random changes in DNA that occur naturally, not caused by evolution. However, evolution acts on these mutations—favorable ones may be passed on through natural selection, while harmful ones may be eliminated. So, mutations provide the raw material, and evolution shapes which persist in a population. ---
**Author:** ![Aadya17](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/aadya17/32/1539_2.png) [@Aadya17](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Aadya17)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 6:59am UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/4 "2025-09-04T06:59:47Z")
Mutations are natural changes in genes that occur during evolution and may be harmful or beneficial. ---
**Author:** ![Khelaharichandana](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/khelaharichandana/32/1634_2.png) [@Khelaharichandana](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Khelaharichandana)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 8:12am UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/5 "2025-09-04T08:12:36Z")
Mutations are similar to natural experiments they might be deadly or lifesaving. The Icefish serves as a perfect example of how what appears to be a fault in one context may become a survival advantage in another. They indicate that evolution is not about perfection, but about adapting to what the environment requires. Even nature’s “mistakes” can lead to creative solutions. ---
**Author:** ![NidhiMed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b77776/32.png) [@NidhiMed](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/NidhiMed)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/6 "2025-09-04T14:46:17Z")
It’s incredible how the icefish adapted to its environment by losing hemoglobin, a seemingly essential component. It really shows how life finds unique ways to survive ---
**Author:** ![Param-1234](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/param-1234/32/1662_2.png) [@Param-1234](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Param-1234)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 3:23pm UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/7 "2025-09-04T15:23:59Z")
yes its beneficial ---
**Author:** ![sakshe](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/sakshe/32/1740_2.png) [@sakshe](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/sakshe)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 3:42pm UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/9 "2025-09-04T15:42:50Z")
This is a good example of how evolution reshapes life. Mutations are often seen as harmful, but in reality they are just changes whose result depend on the environment. This show how survival isn’t about being perfect, but about being fit for the environment. ---
**Author:** ![Daniel](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/daniel/32/1653_2.png) [@Daniel](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Daniel)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 5:36pm UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/10 "2025-09-04T17:36:43Z")
That’s a fascinating fact! Icefish are unique among vertebrates because they lack hemoglobin, the protein that normally carries oxygen in blood. Instead, they survive in the cold, oxygen-rich waters of the Antarctic by absorbing oxygen directly through their plasma. A remarkable example of how life adapts to extreme environments! ---
**Author:** ![Aarzoo\_fatema](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/aarzoo_fatema/32/1739_2.png) [@Aarzoo\_fatema](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Aarzoo_fatema)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/11 "2025-09-04T17:47:57Z")
Surprisingly how nature knows what needs to be changed in some organisms to make them survive in the harsh environmental conditions ---
**Author:** ![DrSuneeti-Yemberi](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/drsuneeti-yemberi/32/1742_2.png) [@DrSuneeti-Yemberi](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/DrSuneeti-Yemberi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/12 "2025-09-04T17:48:31Z")
It better explains Darwin’s theory of evolution- Only the best will survive! And adaptation to the local environment is what makes living organisms survive. ---
**Author:** ![Devendra528](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3e96dc/32.png) [@Devendra528](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Devendra528)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/13 "2025-09-05T12:56:11Z")
Fascinating topic, Icefish are the only vertebrates without hemoglobin, giving their blood a nearly transparent look. They survive in icy Antarctic waters because oxygen dissolves easily in the cold, allowing it to travel in plasma. Their hearts are much larger, pumping blood at 5x the rate of other fish, and antifreeze proteins stop ice crystals from forming. ---
**Author:** ![Theja](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/theja/32/1072_2.png) [@Theja](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Theja)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 7:40am UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/icefish-the-only-vertebrate-without-haemoglobin/8216/14 "2025-09-10T07:40:21Z")
Interesting and informative