This article introduces the reader to the diversity and significance of extremophiles. Descriptions are provided of the habitat and ecology of thermophiles, psychrophiles (cold lovers), acidophiles, alkaliphiles, and halophiles. The industrial and commercial applications of extremophiles, such as the use of thermophilic microbial enzymes in PCR technology, are also described. Finally, the article discusses the evolutionary significance of extremophiles and their role in the restructuring the evolutionary tree of life.
Subject: Biology:Ecology:Metabolism, Habitats:Marine, Biology:Evolution:Patterns, Biology:Microbiology, Microbiology:Methods of Microbiology , Methods of Microbiology :Molecular Methods, Geoscience:Geology:Geochemistry:Acid/Base Reactions Resource Type: Scientific Resources:Research Results, Overview/Reference Work Grade Level: High School (9-12), College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16), Graduate/Professional Extreme Environments: Alkaline, Acidic, Extremely Cold, Extremely Hot, Hypersaline Theme: Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Ecology, GeochemistryKeywords: PCR, Taq polymerase, extremozymes, archaea
