Extremophiles are just lifeforms which thrive in extreme environments. They can be eukaryotic (animals, plants, fungi), but tend to be prokaryotic (archaebacteria, eubacteria). Most complex organisms that we know of would die under the conditions in which these beings survive. It has been proposed that perhaps the earliest life on Earth began in these extreme environments (as the early Earth would have been quite inhospitable for many species we know).
Some types of extremophiles:
Acidophile: Survives in extreme acidity (pH < 3)
Alkaliphile: Survives in extreme basicity (pH > 9)
Halophile: Survives in extreme salinity
Piezophile: Survives in extreme pressure
Thermophile: Survives in extreme heat (Temp > 60 Celsius)
-Hydrothermophile: Survives in extreme temperatures near hydrothermal vents
Psychrophile: Survives in extreme cold (Temp < 30 Celsius)
David Gallo on Deep Sea Ocean Life - WATCH THIS IF NOTHING ELSE!
Some articles:
Explanatory Article
Yellowstone Light-Harvesting Species
ARMAN Acidophile
Deep Subsurface Bacteria
Antarctic Deep Sea Methanophile
Life Below Antarctic Glacier (no light, no oxygen)
Deep Sea Microbes involved in Nitrogen Cycle?
Deep Ocean Biomass
& again
^Multicellular Animal in Oxygen-Free Environment^
Radiation-Consuming Bacteria....just think of the practical uses!
So why not on other planets?
Extremophiles, Antarctica, and ET Life
Alaska as Model for Solar System Environments?
They can grow in moon soil
Ultramicrobacterium seems well suited for Exo-planetary life
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