Thermophile High Temperature Adaptation
Thermophiles including archaea and bacteria thrive in temperatures from 41°C to 122°C in environments like hot springs, hydrothermal vents, and geothermal areas.
DNA Exchange in Thermophiles
Sulfolobus archaea use DNA exchange with neighboring cells to repair heat-induced damage through homologous recombination rather than preventing denaturation.
Psychrophile Cold Adaptation Mechanisms
Psychrophiles including Antarctic midge flies and various bacteria thrive at temperatures down to -20°C through specialized molecular adaptations enabling function despite freezing conditions.
VBNC Viable But Non-Culturable State
Psychrophilic bacteria enter VBNC (Viable But Non-Culturable) state allowing complete freezing in ice while remaining viable for extraordinary periods, with some surviving over 500,000 years in permafrost.
Acidophile Proton Pump Resistance
Acidophiles including Picrophilus microbes thrive in extremely acidic environments down to pH -0.06 by actively expelling protons to maintain neutral internal pH.
Alkaliphile Extreme Base Tolerance
Alkaliphiles thrive in extremely basic environments up to pH 12, representing the inverse adaptation to acidophiles by tolerating hydroxide ion abundance.