Extreme Living
Extremophiles and How They Live
THERMOPHILE
Scientific Name: Thermus thermophilus
Common Name: N/A
Type: Thermophile
Location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Special Characteristics: High temperatures
Special Physiology: Thermophiles have proteins able to withstand extreme temperatures without being denatured, and this allows them to survive and function in environments like underwater volcanic thermal vents and hot springs.
Application: This organism could be used as a model organism for genetic manipulation and is also being researched for its thermostability, as it could be useful in increasing the half-life of articially created enzymes.
ACIDOPHILE
Location: Iron Mountain streams, California
Special Characteristics: A high level of SO4, creating a pH range of 0-2.5
Species Name: Ferroplasma acidarmanus
Common Name: N/A
Type: Acidophile
Special Physiology: They have developed a variety of mechanisms to keep their internal pH levels around 7.2 on the scale.
Application: They could be useful in extracting metal ores, acid mine draining, and manufacturing of acid-stable industrial catalysts.
ALKALIPHILE
Location: Lake Calumet, Illinois
Special Characteristics: In the past, Lake Calumet was a dumping ground for slag and industrial waste, leading to its current pH range that stays above 12
Scientific Name: beta-Proteobacteria
Common Name: N/A
Type: Alkaliphile
Special Physiology: Internal pH balance is maintained through a variety of mechanisms. Their enzymes are so pH stable that they are used in the manufacturing of detergents. They also create a high membrane potential and couple Na+ with electron transport to keep pH stable internally.
Application: These bacteria can be used as additives to detergents and can also be used as enzymes to break down starch.