Extremophiles
Extremophiles are organisms with the ability to thrive in extreme conditions (from a human perspective) such as: deep ocean hydrothermal vents[1].
They are mostly prokaryotic.
Extremophiles can be divided into sub-groups relating to environmental conditions in which they grow optimally[2]:
| acidophilic | optimal growth in acidic conditions (pH 1-5) |
| alkaliphilic | optimal growth alkaline conditions (pH>9) |
| halophilic | environments with high salt concentration |
| thermophilic | optimal growth between 60-80 degrees celsius |
| hyperthermophilic | optimal growth above 80 degrees celsius |
| psychrophilic | optimal growth at 15 degrees celsius or lower |
| piezophilic/barophilic | optimal growth highhydrostatic pressure |
| xerophilic | growth in dry conditions with low water availabilty |
| oligotrophic | growth in nutritionally limited environments |
| endolithic |
growth in rocks or pores in mineral grains |
Some extremophiles have multiple adoptions. e.g. thermoacidophiles[3].
Future advances
Extremophiles have extremozymes which are the enzymes that enable the organism to live in harsh conditions. This could influence: genetically based medications and industrial chemicals and processes[4].
References
- ↑ NOAA 10/10/17 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/extremophile.html
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/extremophile
- ↑ Life in hot acid: Pathway analyses in extremely thermoacidophilic archaea Kathryne S. Auernik, Charlotte R. Cooper, and Robert M. Kelly* Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2008 Oct; 19(5): 445–453. Published online 2008 Sep 11.
- ↑ NOAA 10/10/17 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/extremophile.html