thermophiles
Organisms preferring extreme warmth
Thermophiles are organisms that thrive at relatively high temperatures, typically between 45°C and 80°C.
Most are bacteria or archaea found in hot springs, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and compost heaps.
Thermophiles in Yellowstone's hot springs produce the vivid colors visitors see.
Their heat-resistant enzymes have practical applications in industrial processes and molecular biology.
Third domain of life
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- prokaryotesOrganisms without membrane-bound nuclei
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- polymeraseNucleic acid synthesis enzyme
proteins · metabolism · DNA · RNA · genomics · microbiology · evolution · adaptation
Heated groundwater emerging naturally
- hydrothermal ventsSubmarine volcanic water jets
- geysersErupting thermal water sources
- fumarolesVolcanic gas vents
- volcanicOf fiery mountain origin
Yellowstone · deep-sea vents · sulfur pools · black smokers · geothermal · thermal pools · compost heaps
DNA amplification technique
- Taq polymeraseHeat-resistant replication enzyme
- bioreactorsTanks for biological reactions
- biofuelFuel from organic sources
- waste treatmentPurifying contaminated water
bioremediation · fermentation · pharmaceutical · food processing · bioprocessing
Vaporization threshold
- high temperatureElevated thermal measurement
- heat resistanceTolerance to high temperatures
Organisms surviving without oxygen
- heat toleranceResistance to high temperatures
- stress responseBody's reaction to threat
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
archaea
Third domain of life
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- prokaryotesOrganisms without membrane-bound nuclei
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
polymerase · proteins · metabolism · DNA · RNA · genomics · microbiology · evolution · adaptation · biosynthesis
hot springs
Heated groundwater emerging naturally
- hydrothermal ventsSubmarine volcanic water jets
- geysersErupting thermal water sources
- fumarolesVolcanic gas vents
volcanic · Yellowstone · deep-sea vents · sulfur pools · black smokers · geothermal · thermal pools · compost heaps
PCR
DNA amplification technique
- Taq polymeraseHeat-resistant replication enzyme
- bioreactorsTanks for biological reactions
- biofuelFuel from organic sources
waste treatment · bioremediation · fermentation · pharmaceutical · food processing · bioprocessing
boiling point
Vaporization threshold
- high temperatureElevated thermal measurement
- heat resistanceTolerance to high temperatures
anaerobes
Organisms surviving without oxygen
- heat toleranceResistance to high temperatures
- stress responseBody's reaction to threat
- survivalRemaining alive against odds