Microbial Life in Very Cold Environments

Created by: Scott N. Montross, Montana State University

"Psychrophiles are defined as organisms having an optimal temperature for growth at about 15ºC or lower, a maximal temperature for growth at about 20º C, and a minimal temperature for growth at 0º C or below."

-Morita, R.Y. (1975) Psychrophilic bacteria. Bacteriol. Rev.39:144-167.

Subglacial stream within ice tunnel at the glacier termnus

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What are psychrophiles?

Psychrophiles are commonly described as microorganisms which exhibit a growth temperature optimum of 15°C and lower. The recent discovery of cold-tolerant microorganisms in glaciated and permanently frozen environments has broadened the known range of environmental conditions which support microbial life. Psychrophilic bacteria belong to four phylogenetic groups, the alpha and gamma subdivisions of the Proteobacteria, the Flexibacter-Bacteroides-Cytophaga phylum and the gram-positive branch. Isolates from cold environments include Arthrobacter sp., Psychrobacter sp., and members of the genera Halomonas, Pseudomonas, Hyphomonas, and Sphingomonas

Why are psychrophiles COOL?

Recent investigations have shown psycrophily is more prevalent than previously believed. Psychrophilic bacteria are represented in all three domains of life, many of these organisms are methanotrophs, sulfate reducers, iron oxidizers, and methanogens.

Show more information on psychrophiles

When compared to other known prokaryotes, psychrophilic bacteria posses many unique qualities.
Psychrophilic bacteria have:

-adapted to their cool environments by having largely unsaturated fatty acids in their plasma membranes. Some psychrophiles have been found to contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which generally do not occur in prokaryotes

-enzymes that continue to function, albeit at a reduced rate, at near freezing ambient temperatures

-the ability to produce proteins that are stable at cold temperatures

Psychrophile Collections

Coccus from 1800 year-old ice from Taylor Dome Antarctica

General Collection: Resources such as news articles, web sites, and reference pages provide a comprehensive array of information about psychrophiles.

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