EXTREMOPHILES

1. Slides from extemophile lab
Definitions and types of extremophiles from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extremophile
Class assignment – define extremophile
Choose a couple of extremophile categories, give an example of
an organism and the environment in which it is found
1) Extremes in pH: Acidophiles and Alkaliphiles
2) Extremes in temperature: Thermophiles and Psychrophiles
3) Extremes in pressure: Barophiles/Piezophiles
4) Extreme dryness: Xerophile
5) Extreme saltiness: Halophile
6) Extreme radioactivity: Radioresistant

2. Defining Extremophiles
• An organism that thrives under extreme conditions
• The term frequently refers to prokaryotes and can be
interchangeable with archaea and bacteria
• Most known extremophiles are microbes
• They are classified by the conditions in which they inhabit
• Categorization is not mutually exclusive, so some can exist within
multiple categories
• “microbes that thrive in environments that would terminate us
humans in seconds flat” (NOVA http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/caves/extremophiles.html)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Deinococcus_radiodurans.jpg ‐
Transmission electron microgragh (TEM) of Deinococcus radiodurans

3. Extreme pH
• Defining Acidophiles:
– These are extremophiles thriving in conditions with a pH of 2.0 or
below
– They have evolved efficient mechanisms that pumps protons out
of the intracellular space to keep the cytoplasm at or near neutral
pH…in other words, this is how they survive
– Because of this they do not need to develop acidic stability
• Example and Habitat:
– Acidobacteria
– Most species of acidobacteria have been found in
poor or polluted acidic soils
– They are hard to grow in laboratory cultures, thus they are poorly
understood bacteria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidobacterium

4. Extreme pH
• Defining Alkaliphiles:
• These are extremophiles thriving in conditions with a pH of 9.0 or
above
• Some alkaliphiles have more than one pH optimum for growth.
This change depends on the growth conditions, in particular
nutrients, metal ions, and temperature.
• Example and Habitat:
– Bacillus okhensis
– One of the largest locations of Alkaliphiles on Earth
is Lake Natron. These thrive here because it is a naturally
Acidic community created by the rift valley.
http://www.eol.org/pages/83228
www.icis.com/blogs/india‐chemicals/LakeNatron.jpg

5. Extremophiles Extreme Temperatures and Pressure
• Microorganisms that can live and thrive in • Thermophiles: An organism that can thrive at
temperatures between 60–80 °C. [2]
environments with extreme conditions such • Psychrophiles: An organism that grows better at
as high or low temperatures and pH levels, temperatures of 15 °C or lower; common in cold soils,
permafrost, polar ice, cold ocean water, and in or
high salt concentrations, and high pressure. under alpine snowpack. [2]
[1] • Barophiles: a microorganism which grows best (or can
only grow) in high‐pressure environments, such as
Colony of Pompeii worms deep‐sea environments. [3]
living near hydrothermal
vent (left). Single Pompeii
• Piezophiles: An organism that lives optimally at high
worm (right). hydrostatic pressure; common in the deep terrestrial
subsurface, as well as in oceanic trenches. [2]
http://www.nsf.gov/news/overviews/earth‐environ/assets/interact09.jpg http://oldsite.dri.edu/deesprojects/images/Murray_Alvinella3.jpg
Pompeii Worm References
1. http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/unit_gloss.php?unit=1
• The Pompeii worm is a deep‐sea extremophile found only at
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extremophiles
hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean. 3. http://www.biology‐online.org/dictionary/Barophile
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompeii_worm
• May grow up to 5 inches in length.
• “Hairs” made of bacteria colonies afford some insulation. Hydrothermal vent (right) where Pompeii worm
(left) is found.
• Found attached to hydrothermal vents, they survive in
temperatures up to 176 ⁰F.
• The Pompeii worm can
withstand hotter temperatures
than any other multicellular
organism.
http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/chess/science/images/alvinella_hq.jpg
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/io9/2009/07/pompeii‐worm.jpg http://www.astro.yale.edu/chunter/presentations/cty/Hydrothermal_vent.jpg
Definition of Extremophiles Thermophiles
• "Thermophiles" are microorganisms with
An extremophile is an organism that thrives optimal growth temperatures between 60
under "extreme" conditions. The term and 108 degrees Celsius, isolated from a
frequently refers to prokaryotes and is number of marine and terrestrial
sometimes used interchangeably with geothermally‐heated habitats including
Archaea. shallow terrestrial hot springs, hydrothermal
vent systems, sediment from volcanic
islands, and deep sea hydrothermal vents.
http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/extreme/extremophiles.html

6. Thermophiles at Yellowstone National Park Psychrophiles
• Is an organism that reproduces and grows best at
low temperatures, typically in the range ‐10 to
20°C (14 to 68°F). Psychrophiles are a type of
extremophile.
• Psychrophiles possess enzymes that are adapted
to function at low temperatures and are
http://serc.carleton.edu/images/
denatured at moderate temperatures.
microbelife/extreme/extremehea • Present in alpine and arctic soils, high‐latitude
t/Sunset_Lake.jpg
and deep ocean waters, Arctic ice, glaciers and
snowfields.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grand
_prismatic_spring.jpg
Psycrophiles Piezophiles
Fig 1: Snowfield Algae • Organisms, both macroscopic and microscopic that
Fig 2: Ice core sample thrive in environments where the pressure is unusually
high.
• Habitat: deep in the ocean or far underground. Three
categories of microbes found in high‐pressure
environments can be distinguished.
– Barotolerant microbes are found in the ocean to depths of
4 km (about 400 atm) but grow better at 1 atm.
– Barophilic species occur at 5 to 6 km and grow better at
high pressure (500 to 600 atm) than low.
Fig 1 and Fig2
http://www.thelivingcosmos.com/Extremop – Extreme barophiles live at great depths where the
hiles/Psychrophiles_12May06.html pressure is at least 700 atm and will not grow at all at 1
atm.
Piezophile References
Piezophiles are found at high
• Slide 1
temperatures and pressures, and http://www.scitech.ac.uk/sciprog/aurora/images/Hydphilel
can be found at the bottom of the arge.jpg
ocean floor in hydrothermal vents, • Slide 2
also called, “black smokers.” http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/extreme/extremophil
es.html
• Slide 3 Encyclopedia of Environmental Microbiology, 2002.
A piezophilic bacterium. The
vol.3.
bar in the lower left‐hand • Slide 5
corner is one micron (one http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/P/psychrophile
millionth of a meter). .html,
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Psychrophile
http://www.ia.spacegrant.org/
NEWS/newsbrief1103.htm • Slide 7
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/B/barophiles.h
tml
http://www.treehugger.com/deep%20sea%20h
ydrothermal%20vent.jpg

7. What is an extremophile? Thermophiles
• Thermophiles are organisms that thrive in
• An extremophile is an organism which thrives high temperatures (50⁰C/120⁰F‐ 70⁰C/158F ⁰)
in conditions which greatly differ from what
• Habitats include geothermal hot springs and
humans consider normal.
‐Acidophiles and Alkaliphiles live in extreme ph hydrothermal vents
‐Thermophiles live in extremely hot temperatures
‐Psychrophiles live in extremely cold temperatures
‐Barophiles and Piezophiles live at extreme pressures
‐Halophiles live in extremely salty conditions
‐Xerophiles live in extremely dry conditions
http://www.graphicsforums.com/public/list.asp?id=195
http://www.astro.yale.edu/chunter/presentations/ct
y/earth‐habitat.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paparocket/343920462/ http://www.coolantarctica.com/gallery/scenic/Seaice%20formation/Antarctica_sea_ice2.htm
Thermus aquaticus References
• A thermophilic bacterium discovered in a hot • 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermus_aquaticus
spring in Yellowstone National Park in 1960 [1]. • 2. http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/thenewgenetics/chapter3.html
• Capable of surviving in temperatures ranging
from 50⁰C‐80⁰C
• Origin of the Taq enzyme
used for copying DNA,
and DNA fingerprinting
[2].
http://www.chemistrydaily.com/chemistry/upload/7/7b/TaqPol.jpg
What is an Extremophile? Introducing: Deinococcus Radiodurans
Deinococcus Radiodurans is a radioactive resistant bacteria that is
Definition: An extremophile is an organism capable of living in a radioactive environment. Deinococcus
which thrives in an extreme environment such Radiodurans is a polyextremophile, it can survive in extreme cold,
dehydration, vacuum and low pH as well as radioactive
as high temperature, high pressure or extreme environments. It is listed by The Guiness Book Of World Records as
pH. Most extremophiles are single celled the worlds toughest bacteria. [2]
microbes, however not all extremophiles are
single celled.
Deinococcus Radiodurans [3] Radioactive hazard sign [4]

8. So what does this all mean? Where could one find Deinococcus
Surviving in extreme cold: Any organism that can survive in 15*C is defined as
being an extremophile capable of living in a cold environment.
Radiodurans?
Dehydration: Dehydration means without water or lacking water. Any organism Deinococcus Radiodurans is a bacteria which is commonly
capable of surviving in an environment which is devoid of water is an found in meat, feces, soil and sewage. It has also been found in
extremophile dried food, textiles and even on medical instruments. It’s
Surviving in a vacuum: Most organisms require a comfortable level of pressure to
resistance to radioactivity was discovered when scientists tried to
survive. A vacuum has very extremely low pressure which is not favorable for disinfect meat with high levels of radiation. After prolonged
living. Any organism that can survive in a vacuum is an extremophile. exposure to radiation, Deinococcus Radiodurans were still alive
and well within the meat. This came as a great surprise. [2]
Surviving in an acidic environment: Finding a comfortable pH is extremely
important for living organisms. Most known organisms prefer a pH of around 7,
which is the pH of water. Organisms that are capable of living in pH higher than
9 or lower than 5 are extremophiles.
Polyextremophile: A polyextremophile is an extremophile which is capable of
withstanding more than one kind of extreme environment.
Sources Cited What is an Extremophile?
[1] tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehouse_id=4726 • Organism adapted to live
in extreme environment
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinococcus_radiodurans
• Classified by type of
[3] http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Deinococcus_radiodurans.jpg
environment
[4] http://scienceblogs.com/aardvarchaeology/upload/2007/02/Radioactive.jpg – Examples:
• Acidophile – very low ph
• Alkaliphile – very high ph
• Thermophile – very high
tempeture
• Halophile – High
concentrations of salt
(NaCl)
Acidophile Ferroplasma acidiphilum (source:
http://scienceray.com/biology/microbiology/extreme
‐bacteria/)
Halophile Dunaliella salina
• Live in environments with • Halophilic algae that lives
very high salt concentrations in inland seas, saline lakes
and salt marshes.
• Categorized by • Harvested for anti‐
“halotolerance” or salinity oxidant content in
level of their environment carotene and glycerol [1]
• Some environments: – Used in cosmetics and
dietary supplements
– Hypersaline lakes (Dead Sea)
Dunaliella salina in sea salt (source:
• “Turns red when
Dunaliella, an extremely halophilic species of – Salt marshes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FleurDeSel.JPG)
physiologically stressed”
green algae (source:
http://starcentral.mbl.edu/microscope/portal.p
hp?pagetitle=assetfactsheet&imageid=18910)
• Usually bacteria and algae [1]

9. Xerophile Xerophile Environments
• These organisms can • The conditions in which
grow dry environments many of these
• Many other plants extremophiles live is
cannot survive in these the desert
conditions characterized by low
• They are tolerant of dry moisture and high
conditions aridity
• Examples • One of the most
abundant types of
– Cacti, Mold, and Yeast
Ferocactus
(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cactus1web.jpg) Saguaro cactus xerophile is cacti
(source: http://image18.webshots.com/18/8/42/34/205584234csPWML_fs.jpg)
Ferocactus (Barrel Cactus)
References
• [1] http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/173578/Dunaliella
• Desert: Sonoran and
• [2] http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/june/papr/barrelcactus.html
Chihuahuan deserts [2]
• Height: 4‐11ft
• Spines: Red with a grey
surface layer
• Flowers: Orange, Red,
Yellow and blooms in
July through September
• Elevation: 1,000‐4,600ft
Ferocactus
(source: http://www.nuggetwranglers.com/images/barrelcactus.jpg)
What is an extremophile? Thermophile and Psychrophile
• Microbes that live in conditions that would • A thermophile is an organism that lives in
extremely hot environments
kill other creatures –Difficult to study because of such hot conditions
–Live in either extreme pH, extreme –Best reproduction temperature is between 50C and
temperature/pressure, or extremely salty or dry 70C
–Can’t grow if the temperature reaches 20C
• A psychrophile is an organism that lives in
extremely cold environments
–Found mostly in Arctic and Antarctic oceans
–Best reproduction temperature is between ‐10C and
Thermophile, found at Yellowstone National
Park 20C
–Can’t grow or reproduce if the temperature exceeds
20C

10. Specimens Barophile/Piezophile
• Rhizomucor pusillus is an example of • A barophile is an organism that lives in areas
a thermophile
of extreme pressure
–Found in compost piles
–Hypahe stick upwards forming a
Rhizomucor pusillus –Deep under the earth or water
fluffy/fuzzy appearance –3 kinds of the microorganisms:
• Polaromonas vacuolata (Ice worms) is • Barotolerant grow best in 1 atm but can survive in up to
an example of a psychrophile 400 atm
–Found in the Antarctic sea ice • Barophilic grow best between 500 and 600 atm
–Can’t reproduce above 13C Ice worms
• Extreme barophiles grow best in 700 atm or more, but
some can survive in 1 atm
–Get nourishment through symbiosis
Specimen Work Cited
• Title: www.dailygalaxy.com/.../29/extremophiles_2.jpg
• Pseudomonas are an example of • Page 1: Extremophile
http://www.theguardians.com/Microbiology/gm_mbm04.htm
a barophilic bacteria Thermophile
http://wpcontent.answers.com/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Grand_prismati
–They are able to survive in such c_spring.jpg/300px‐Grand_prismatic_spring.jpg
• Page 2: Thermophile http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212089/therm.htm
harsh conditions because of their Psycrophile http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212089/psyc.htm
tough cell wall and porins • Page 3: Thermophile http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212089/therm.htm
Psychrophile
–Found in many diverse niches and http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~townsend/static.php?ref=diploma‐6#toc‐
The_Psychrophiles
tend to cause spoilage and decay • Page 4: Barophile http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212089/baro.htm
Pseudomona • Page 5: Barophile http://en.wikivisual.com/index.php/Pseudomonas
–Have the ability to metabolize many Pseudomona www.scienceclarified.com/.../uesc_02_img0068.jpg
different nutrients
Halophiles
•Live in extremely salty environments such as halobacteria in the Dead Sea and the
Great salt lake where salinity can be almost ten times higher than oceans.[2]
•There are two different strategies for halophilic organisms to survive high salinity.
•Extremo‐ meaning intense and ‐phile meaning “loving” Both involve techniques for maintaining osmosis in the cell:
1. Organic compound are accumulated into the cytoplasm of the cell. They can
•An extremophile is a microorganism that lives in extreme either synthesized or pulled from the enivironment.
conditions. 2. Involves an influx of potassium ions into the cytoplasm. [3]
•These may be single celled or multicelled. •If these organisms are unable to perform these actions they will perish!!!
This exteremophile is a diatom,
found in Antarctic ice.[1]
This image shows colonies of
halophiles from the Great Salt
Lake.[2]

11. Xerophiles
• These organisms can survive in extremely dry conditions such as deserts, the
dry Antarctic and even dry food. Yeast and mold are common examples. [1] http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/extreme/extremophiles.html
[2] http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/extreme/hypersaline/index.html
[3] http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Halophile
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cactus
[5] www.umd.umich.edu/casl/natsci/microbio/.../Extremophiles.ppt
This is Desert varnish, a thin coating of Mn,
Fe, and clay on the surface of desert rocks,
•This Ferocactus pilosus cactus is an formed by colonies of bacteria living on the
xerophile. Found in the southwestern rock surface for thousands of years. [5]
United States and Northwest Mexico. [4]