Extremophiles

Halophiles:
Scientific Name- Haloferax Mediteranei
Description of Environment- Halophiles are organisms that need salt in their environment to live.
They live in evaporation ponds or salt lakes such as the Great Salt Lake.
2 Characteristics- they ferment salted fish, they clean up polluted environments
Example- Salinibacter species.

Thermophiles
Scientific Name- Thermus Aquaticus
Description of Environment- Thermophiles live in extremely hot water environments that
contain high levels of sulfur or calcium carbonate
2 Characteristics- more heat = more growth, they use sulfuric acid as an energy source
Example- bacteria found in hot springs

Psychrophiles
Scientific Name- Psychrophilic Bacterium
Description of Environment- Psychrophiles are present in permafrost, polar ice, glaciers,
snowfields and deep ocean waters. These organisms can also be found in pockets of sea ice with
high salinity content.
2 Characteristics- they can be present in milk as post-pasteurization contaminants due to poor
sanitation practices. 
Example- bacteria found in the deep sea waters

Acidophiles
Scientific Name- Sulfolobus Acidocaldarius
Description of Environment- Acidophiles or acidophilic organisms are those that thrive under
highly acidic conditions. These organisms can be found in different branches of the tree of life
2 Characteristics- grow in the presence or complete absence of oxygen, grow in pH levels of 3-5
Example- bacteria found in highly acidic areas
Alkaliphiles
Scientific Name- haloalkaliphilesxero
Description of Environment- Alkaliphiles are extremophilic microbes capable of survival in
alkaline environments. They grow around a pH of 10. 
2 Characteristics- alkaliphiles are dependent on alkaline environments and the presence of
Na+ ions for growth, can grow in pH range of 9-12 but grow best in environments with a pH
level of 10
Example- Bacillus

Xerophiles
Scientific Name- Trichosporonoides Nigrescens
Description of Environment- Xerophiles can be mostly found in dry conditions. They can
balance their outside environment by accumulating internal solutes, which allow the cells to
maintain a high enough osmotic pressure for survival and growth
2 Characteristics- grow in low water activity, very popular in desert environments.
Example- bacteria found in the desert

Pictures

Halophiles:

Thermophiles:

Psychrophiles:
Acidophiles:

Alkaliphiles:

Xerophiles: