EcologyKey Facts
EXTREMOPHILES — Life in Extreme Conditions
Part of Competition Adaptations — GCSE Biology
This key facts covers EXTREMOPHILES — Life in Extreme Conditions within Competition Adaptations for GCSE Biology. Topic 2: Competition Adaptations It is section 5 of 14 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 5 of 14
Practice
15 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
🏜️ EXTREMOPHILES — Life in Extreme Conditions
Some organisms (called extremophiles) have adapted to survive in extreme environments:
- Deep sea vents — bacteria survive at extreme pressure and temperature
- Hot springs — bacteria with heat-resistant enzymes
- Salt lakes — organisms that tolerate very high salt
- Antarctic ice — organisms with "antifreeze" proteins in their blood
These organisms are useful in science — their enzymes (like Taq polymerase from hot spring bacteria) are used in PCR and genetic engineering!