extremophiles

extremophiles definition:

organisms adapted to live in extreme conditions

examples of animal extremophiles:

• iguanas

• star-nosed mole

• tardigrade

• anglerfish

how are some iguanas adapted?

• breathe underwater

• eat seaweed (lots of salt so sneeze salt out through glands)

• flatter nose (easier to eat seaweed)

• sharper claws (cling against current)

examples of different types of extremophiles:

• thermophile

• cryophile

• halophile

• acidophile

• metallotolerant

• radioresistant

explain thermophiles:

• hot environments (volcanoes, hot springs)

• withstand high temperatures: proteins are thermally stable

explain cryophiles:

• extremely cold environments

• cell membrane rich in lipids (prevents them stiffening in the cold)

explain halophiles:

• salty environments

• special cell wall can control movements of salt in

explain acidophiles:

• acidic environment

• can pump out H+ ions back into the environment

explain metallotolerant:

• environments rich in heavy metals

• bacteria pumps out heavy metals/turns them into less dangerous forms

explain radioresistant:

• radioactive environments (e.g. Chernobyl)

• several copies of its DNA

• many DNA repairing enzymes