Question

Hot springs in Yellowstone National Park can reach 205 degrees Fahrenheit (96 degrees Celsius), a temperature at which few organisms can survive. Organisms called thermophiles, however, thrive at this temperature and produce the bright color of the park's Grand Prismatic Spring. Which statement is a testable hypothesis to explain how thermophiles can grow at such a high temperature?

Thermophiles were created to live at high temperature.
Thermophiles obtain energy from high temperature environments.
Thermophiles have heat-resistant enzymes.
Thermophiles have been found in many high temperature environments.

Answer 1

Thermophiles have heat-resistant enzymes.

Step-by-step explanation:

A hypothesis refers to the possible explanation of processes and is based on observation.

Thermophiles are able to survive the extremes of the temperature found in hot springs of Yellowstone National Park. Their ability to withstand such temperature may be due to the presence of heat resistant enzymes.

Since enzymes are proteins, they are denatured at higher temperatures. It is one of the factors that determine the temperature range that can be tolerated by an organism.

Hence, the presence of heat resistant enzymes in thermophiles can be one of the possible explanations about their ability to survive under the temperature as high as 205 degrees Fahrenheit.