If cell membranes freeze, the cell will be damaged and die. Solutes such as sugars, polysaccharides, amino-acids and proteins in the cell sap and cytoplasm lower the freezing point acting as antifreeze.Most species only produce chemicals for frost-resistance during the winter months. Reduction in day-length and low temperatures lead to the switching on of genes and switching off of others. This gene activation and deactivation reverses during the summer months.