Hot+Archaea

Thermus aquaticus was a species of archaebacteria first discovered in Yellowstone hot springs. They are thermophiles, meaning they can resist and flourish in temperatures much higher than 50-60 degrees Celsius.

The phylum from which it comes is Deinococcus-Thermus, which consists of two main types of bacteria. The first is bacteria that are able to withstand and even consume radiation and nuclear waste. The other type, of which Thermus aquaticus is member, is bacteria that are able to withstand and prosper in extremely hot environments.

The members of this species are rod-shaped and very long and stalky. On their surfaces, there are structures that look like pili (hair-like structures) that are used in conjugation, a form of sexual reproduction. They are unicellular, and without a true nucleus. Their chemical structures are actually more stable in the high temperatures in which they thrive, which seems unusual, since heat tends to loosen chemical bonds. The reason for this stability is the heat-stable cell membranes and enzymes within the cells. These enzymes are extremely resistant to heat.

Anatomically and structurally, Thermus aquaticus is very unique in that it is neither an autotroph nor a heterotroph. It is a chemotroph. It intakes carbohydrates, amino acids, caboxylic acids and peptides in order to grow. One reason for this is that the species lives typically in hot springs, where not many other organisms can live. They then resort to these chemicals to help them grow.

Thermus aquaticus lives generally in hot springs and geysers around the world. It can only survive and prosper under extremely hot temperatures, so these are the only suitable places for it to live.

The taxonomy of this species: Archaebacteria Deinococcus-Thermus Deinococci Thermales Thermus aquaticus

Thermus Aquaticus [Electronic Image]. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from:

Grand prismatic spring [Electronic Image]. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from:

A video with some cool thermophiles: media type="youtube" key="VU-A6Sx7k-U?fs=1" height="385" width="480"


 * biodiversity**. (2010). In //Encyclopædia Britannica//. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: []


 * Citizendium**. (2010). //Thermus aquaticus - encyclopaedia article//. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from: []


 * Thermus aquaticus**. (2010). In //Encyclopædia Britannica//. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: [|http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/591770/****Thermus**-**aquaticus****]


 * Wikipedia**. (2010). //Thermus aquaticus//. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from: []