Final answer:
Thermophilic bacteria are specialized organisms that thrive in extreme high-temperature environments, such as hot springs and hydrothermal vents, with enzymes having optimal activity at temperatures close to or above 100°C. They have evolved genetic and structural adaptations that allow them to survive and function at these temperatures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thermophiles and Their Temperature Requirements
Thermophilic bacteria are organisms that thrive in very high-temperature environments. These bacteria, such as Bacillus stearothermophillus and T. aquaticus, produce thermostable enzymes that function optimally at high temperatures. These thermophiles live in extreme environments like hot springs, geothermal soils, and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The DNA of thermophiles tends to have a higher proportion of guanine-cytosine content, which makes it more stable at high temperatures. Moreover, their cell membranes and proteins exhibit adaptations that render them resistant to denaturation at high temperatures, which is a significant aspect of their survival in high-temperature environments.
Optimal Temperatures for Enzymes
The optimum temperature for enzymes from thermophiles can be near 100°C or above, for instance, Taq polymerase with an optimum temperature of 72°C. By contrast, human pathogens generally prefer temperatures around 37°C, which is the typical human body temperature. This difference in enzyme optimum temperature indicates that thermophilic bacteria have evolved to thrive at temperatures that are much higher than those preferred by human-associated bacteria.