noun
- organisms, especially microorganisms, that thrive in extreme environmental conditions such as very high or low temperatures, high pressure, extreme acidity, or high salinity
Usage: plural form; singular is extremophile; scientific/technical term; commonly used in biology and astrobiology
Examples
- Extremophiles found in hot springs can survive temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius.
- Scientists study extremophiles to understand how life might exist on other planets.
- Some extremophiles live in salt lakes where the salinity would kill most other organisms.
- Extremophiles have been discovered in deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
- The discovery of extremophiles expanded our understanding of where life can survive on Earth.
- Researchers use extremophiles in biotechnology to develop heat-resistant enzymes.