Final answer:
Hyperthermophiles are most likely to be encountered in deep-sea hydrothermal vents, where they can tolerate and thrive in the extremely high temperatures found in such environments. Hence, option (b) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hyperthermophiles are seen in Deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Hyperthermophiles are extremophiles that thrive in extremely hot environments like hot springs or hydrothermal vents. A notable example of such organisms is the methane-producing microorganisms that can grow at 122 °C under high pressures where water doesn't boil. These environments offer abundant sources of chemical energy, which drive the evolution of organisms that can withstand high temperatures.
The deep-sea hydrothermal vents have temperatures that can reach an estimated 340 °C, and the microbes isolated from these environments can achieve optimal growth at temperatures well above 100 °C.
For example, the Pyrobolus and Pyrodictium species of archaea can grow at 105 °C and survive autoclaving. This is in stark contrast to other environments like Arctic ice, the human body, or desert soil, where the temperatures are much cooler and would not support hyperthermophilic life forms.