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!