extremophile

extremophile

(ĭk-strē′mə-fīl′)

n.

Any of various organisms that require extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, or chemical concentration, as in very cold or salty environments, in order to thrive.

extremophile

(ĕks-trēm′ŏ-fīl) [L. extremus, outermost, + Gr. philein, to love]

An organism that can thrive in exceptionally adverse environments, such as in very cold or very hot, halogenated, or salty conditions.

extremophile

a MICROORGANISM that can grow under severe or extreme environmental conditions; for example, very high temperature, high NaCl concentration, very low pH. Often they are members of the ARCHAEA.