Extremophiles- Life on the edge
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Transcript of Extremophiles- Life on the edge
Extremophiles- Life on the edge
Images from NASA, http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/
Extraterrestrial life-Does it exist?
What is an extremophile?
Microbes that live where nothing else can
Extremozymes- enzymes that work
under extremes
What is an enzyme?Large biological molecule responsible
chemical reactions that sustain life
Enzymes at extremes
Extreme temperatures cause proteins to denature, which is why fevers can be
dangerous.
• Temperature• pH• Salt concentration
Extremophile“Extreme” “loving”
Thermophiles- high temperatures
Psychrophiles- low temperatures
Chemical Extremes
AcidophileAlkaliphileHalophile
Dead Sea
Mono Lake- soda lake
More Extremophiles…
Endolith- Lives inside rocks or pores of minerals
Giardia
Anaerobe- Lives without the presence of oxygen
Life at the Extreme!
Create a Presentation for Tourists (5 minute)Include:LocationChallenges of living thereExtremophile- scientific name and relevant
informationHow it survives- adaptationsInteresting FactsIf we were to go into space, where might we
find it?
1. Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Lechuguilla Cave
2. Yellowstone National Park: Hot Springs
3. Great Salt Lake State Park
4. Cruise Ship over Hydrothermal Vents
5. Kamchatka
6. Indonesia: Kawah Ijen Lake
Life at the Extreme!