Why does a refrigerator keep food fresh?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Low temperature slows decay
The motor vibrations kill bacteria — Wrong. Refrigerator motors don't produce antibacterial vibrations. The preservation comes from cold temperatures slowing bacterial and enzymatic activity.
Low temperature slows decay ✓ — Correct! Cold temperatures slow chemical reactions and biological processes. Bacteria reproduce much slower at 4°C vs. 20°C (some bacteria double every 20 minutes at room temp but take hours when cold). Enzymes that cause ripening and decay also slow down significantly!
Sealed space blocks oxygen — Wrong. Refrigerators aren't airtight, and many have airflow. While limiting oxygen can help, the main preservation mechanism is low temperature slowing microbial growth and enzyme activity.
Go deeper: Enzyme activity
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