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Chapter 24: Problem 20

A thermophile is an organism that lives in extremely _______ environments. a. salty b. hot c. cold d. dry

Short Answer

Expert verified
b. hot

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Definition

Identify the meaning of the word 'thermophile' by breaking it down into its root words. 'Thermo' refers to heat and 'phile' means 'lover' or 'fond of'.
02

Contextual Clues

Use the context of the question to determine what type of environment a thermophile would thrive in, understanding that it relates to heat.
03

Choosing the Correct Answer

Match the context clue to the corresponding answer choice. Since 'thermo' relates to heat, the correct answer is 'hot'.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Extreme Environments
Thermophiles are a fascinating group of organisms that live in extreme environments. Extreme environments are places where conditions are too harsh for most life forms. This includes environments with extreme temperatures, acidity, salinity, and even radiation.
Examples of extreme environments where thermophiles are found include:
  • Hot springs - where water temperatures can reach boiling point.
  • Hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor - with temperatures exceeding 100°C.
  • Geothermal areas, like those in Yellowstone National Park.
The ability to thrive in such conditions makes thermophiles key subjects of study in understanding life's adaptability.
Heat-Loving Organisms
As the term 'thermophile' suggests, these are heat-loving organisms. The name comes from the Greek words 'thermo,' meaning heat, and 'phile,' meaning lover. Thermophiles have special adaptations that allow them to survive and even flourish at high temperatures.
Key points about heat-loving organisms:
  • Optimal growth temperatures typically range between 45°C and 80°C.
  • Enzymes in thermophiles are stable and active at high temperatures where normal enzymes would denature.
  • Some thermophiles can even survive above 100°C, a temperature at which water boils at sea level.
This unique adaptation is crucial for their survival in hot environments, turning what would be a lethal condition for other organisms into a thriving one.
Biological Adaptation
Biological adaptation refers to the changes in organisms that enable them to better survive in their environments. For thermophiles, specific adaptations have evolved to endure the extreme heat.
Some of these adaptations include:
  • Heat-stable enzymes - These enzymes have a structure that prevents them from denaturing at high temperatures, maintaining their functionality.
  • Thermostable membrane lipids - The cell membranes of thermophiles contain lipids that remain stable and functional at high temperatures.
  • Specialized protein structures - Proteins within thermophiles have strong bonds and a compact structure, making them resistant to the destabilizing effect of heat.
These adaptations are an excellent example of how life can modify itself to thrive under extreme environmental stresses.
Understanding these mechanisms not only sheds light on the resilience of life but also has potential applications in industrial processes where high temperatures are involved.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

SETI listens for transmissions from other civilizations in the radio part of the spectrum because a. Earth's atmosphere is transparent in the radio. b. radio broadcasting is an essential step along the way to becoming a communicating civilization. c. no one is interested in radio astronomy, so it is easy to get time on telescopes. d. it can analyze the data for free using screen savers on other people's computers.

The second law of thermodynamics says that the entropy (a measure of disorder) of the universe is always increasing. Yet living organisms exist. Why does this not violate the second law of thermodynamics?

The replication of molecules results in a rapid rise in the number of copies. This is an example of a. linear growth. b. exponential growth. c. limitless growth. d. all of the above

Why do scientists generally talk about molecules such as DNA or RNA when discussing life on Earth?

The study of life and the study of astronomy are connected because (select all that apply) a. life may be quite commonplace in the universe. b. studying other planets may help explain why there is life on Earth. c. explorations of extreme environments on Earth suggest where to look for life elsewhere. d. life is a structure that evolved through physical processes, and life on Earth may not be unique. e. life elsewhere is most likely to be found by astronomers.
See all solutions

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