By Agathokli Kondi
Over the last few years, scientists have been fascinated by organisms that thrive in extreme environments, known as extremophiles. They inhibit extreme hot niches, ice, high salt solutions, acid/alkaline conditions and high pressure areas. Extremophiles are classified according to the condition in which they are found. Their unique capabilities are being studied among biotechnologists to understand how we can utilize this in today's science. These groundbreaking discoveries have significant implications for different branches of life sciences.
What kind of extremophiles are out there?
Thermophiles
These organisms can thrive in high temperature environments between 60° to 80° C (140 to 176° F). Thermophiles have unique adaptations that allow them to withstand the conditions that are lethal to many other organisms. These organisms have heat-stable enzymes as well as heat-shock proteins that helps cellular components withstand hot environments. Thermophiles also have metabolic adaptations which allows them to utilize energy sources that are available in extremely hot habitats
Psychrophiles
These organisms thrive in very low temperature environments between −20° to 20°C (−4° to 68° F). Like thermophiles, psychrophiles have unique adaptations that allow them to survive in these conditions. These adaptions include antifreeze proteins that prevent ice crystals from forming in their cells, as well as low temperature DNA repair mechanisms that make sure the DNA isn't damaged in cold environments.
Halophiles
These organisms thrive in very high salt concentrated areas with 4.7% up to 30% salinity. The halophiles can be found in salt lakes and salt flats where other organisms can't tolerate, these organisms have adapted to inhibit these environments. Some of the adaptations are salt-tolerant enzymes that don't get denatured by salt, as well as efficient transport of ions from in an out of the cell to maintain it's preferred internal conditions.
Acidophiles
These organisms inhibit acidic environments where the pH level is between 3 and 5. These acidophiles adaptations include an acid-resistant cell membrane preventing the acid from corroding the membrane. Acid stable enzymes and a resistance to high concentrated heavy metals that are toxic to normal cells.
Alkaliphiles
These organisms inhibit alkaline environments between pH levels between 10 and 12. Alkaliphiles have similar adaptations to acidophiles, with an alkaline-resistant cell membrane to prevent the membrane from deteriorating. as well as the ability to maintain pH homeostasis.
Barophiles
These organisms can live in very high pressure environments around 40 to 110 mpa (5800 to 15950 psi). The adaptions made to survive in such harsh environments include robust cell walls to withstand the crushing pressure, their membrane can remain fluid under high pressure and a way to derive energy from very unique conditions.
Extremophiles represent a unique, diverse group of microorganisms that defy conventional concepts of habitability. From thermophiles and psychrophiles being able to survive in extreme temperatures, to acidophiles and alkaliphiles inhibiting extreme pH environments, and Barophiles being able to survive at the bottom of the ocean 6.6 miles below! As we continue to understand extremophiles we unlock new discoveries and developments increasing the potential of life sciences and many other industries!
Life (Basel). 2013 Sep; 3(3): 482–485.
Published online 2013 Aug 7. doi: 10.3390/life3030482
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