Geothermal Bacteria


Extremophiles are bacteria that can live in extreme conditions.  This can include very high or very low temperatures, acidic or basic conditions, saline or other highly unpleasant environments.  Why study these creatures?  Well, scientists studying Astrobiology have a strong interest in these bacteria because they can represent possible life that could exist on other planets with non-hospitable climates.  They are of interest to scientists studying the origin of life as well because our planet was at one time significantly less hospitable than it is today.  Besides these scientific interests, the study of extremophiles can lead to everyday scientific advances.A popular technique call Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), which is often referred to on shows such as CSI, uses the polymerase of an extremophile to increase the quantity of DNA for forensic and biomedical tests.  The use of this extremophile enzyme has greatly advanced our studies of DNA and genetics.


Some really awesome links:
Methane on Mars -- life on Mars
a cool website recommended by my friend Jen
another recommendation by Jen
The Antarctica Newspaper
The SETI website

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News stories of interest:
Water may not be essential for life
Methane on Mars indicates possible life

More awesome sites

http://www.astrobiology.com/extreme.html

http://www.gns.cri.nz/research/geomicrobiology/

http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/raven6b/graphics/raven06b/enhancementchapters/raven30_enhancement.html

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/glacial_volcanoes_010724-1.html

http://www.nps.gov/havo/manage/easul_environment.htm

http://www.usask.ca/communications/ocn/04-jan-23/feature01.shtml

http://www.gesal.com.sv/main.html

http://iga.igg.cnr.it/index.php