thermophile
Microbe preferring hotness
A thermophile is an organism that thrives at relatively high temperatures—typically between 45°C and 80°C (113°F to 176°F).
Most thermophiles are microorganisms like bacteria and archaea found in hot springs, deep-sea vents, and compost heaps.
Their heat-resistant enzymes have proven useful in biotechnology, including DNA amplification techniques.
Heat-resistant replication enzyme
- thermostableUnaffected by high temperatures
- proteaseProtein-cleaving enzyme
- lipaseFat-dissolving enzyme
- amylaseStarch-digesting enzyme
DNA polymerase · ligase · PCR
Heated groundwater emerging naturally
- hydrothermal ventsSubmarine volcanic water jets
- geothermalRelating to underground heat
- YellowstoneOriginal U.S. national park
- deep-sea ventsSeafloor openings releasing heated water
thermal vent · fumaroles · volcanic · sulfur · caldera · geyser · hot pools · geysers
Cell without nuclear membrane
- archaeaThird domain of life
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- microorganismMicroscopic living entity
- coloniesTerritories under foreign control
Third domain of life
- chemosynthesisEnergy from chemical reactions
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
DNA amplification technique
- biofuelFuel from organic sources
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
- bioprocessingManufacturing via living organisms
- waste treatmentPurifying contaminated water
biocatalyst · genetic engineering · synthetic biology · biomining
Taq polymerase
Heat-resistant replication enzyme
- thermostableUnaffected by high temperatures
- proteaseProtein-cleaving enzyme
- lipaseFat-dissolving enzyme
amylase · DNA polymerase · ligase · PCR
hot springs
Heated groundwater emerging naturally
- hydrothermal ventsSubmarine volcanic water jets
- geothermalRelating to underground heat
- YellowstoneOriginal U.S. national park
deep-sea vents · thermal vent · fumaroles · volcanic · sulfur · caldera · geyser · hot pools · geysers · steaming
prokaryote
Cell without nuclear membrane
- archaeaThird domain of life
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- microorganismMicroscopic living entity
archaea
Third domain of life
- chemosynthesisEnergy from chemical reactions
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
PCR
DNA amplification technique
- biofuelFuel from organic sources
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
- bioprocessingManufacturing via living organisms
waste treatment · biocatalyst · genetic engineering · synthetic biology · biomining