The article I chose to write about is amount extremophiles
living in places like hot springs and extreme temperature conditions. I really
wanted to write about this article because of spring break, we went to Pagosa
Hot Springs, in Colorado, when you are inside it you immediately notice the
conditions of the water. It’s oily, extremely hot and around the edges of all
the ponds there is a layer of biofilm. These types of conditions are critical
for microbes, water is the essence of all life, with these huge amounts of
water the ecosystems thrive, even with conditions reaching in the hundreds of
degrees still consist of a vast ecosystem of creatures thriving.
The article I chose to write about introduces you to
ecosystem of Yellowstone national park, it consists of trillions of thriving
organisms, world renounce for its extreme conditions this is what puzzles the
science community, if we understand the ways organisms can thrive in extreme conditions
it could open the door for us to thrive in those same conditions. The article
specifically focuses on a type of organisms called Chloracidobacterium thermophilum, this unique
creature has developed the way to convert light into energy, like us it has
many types of energy production we go through cellular respirations and fermentation,
what if we could go through their type of energy creation, and we could create energy
by light. This organisms is truly fascinating, currently there is only 5 other microbes
that could go through this type of energy production, now being the 6th,
this brings a question forward to the table what else is out there, what other organisms
in the deep dark caverns or oceans could also bring answers to the most sought
after questions in science.
Article : http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/discoveries/2007-07-26-yellowstone-new-bacterium_N.htm
Picture : http://content.usatoday.com/_common/_scripts/big_picture.aspx?width=490&height=652&storyURL=/tech/science/discoveries/2007-07-26-yellowstone-new-bacterium_N.htm&imageURL=http://i.usatoday.net/tech/_photos/2007/07/26/bacteriumx-large.jpg
Scotty, in order for there to be life, there needs to be energy. It is cool to see that there are many ways to make energy; fermentation, respiration, photosynthesis, and now from light. As humans we are always trying to figure out news ways to create energy, not just for ourselves but to run our cars, houses, and technology. I would be happy if I could create energy through light, maybe I would be less tired throughout the school semester. I think we can learn a lot from microbes and we can try and mimic their energy processes (once we know enough about them of course) to help in our own daily lives. Microbes are present everywhere and some benefit us by helping us digest food and giving us essential vitamins. It would be nice if they could keep other things in my life energized like maybe my cell phone or my car. I can imagine a world where we are all completely dependent on microbes, we just need to appreciate them.
ReplyDeleteYour article was very interesting and I like the idea you gave on how research on organisms that thrive in such harsh conditions can open up a way for other organisms to be able to survive in the same type of conditions. I was wondering how you saw the microbes in the hot spring and what you used to discover these microbes. Using sun light for energy is something that I think should be used more in society as well in can save our planet and make it more green
ReplyDeleteYellowstone has always amazed me. In the past it amazed me because of the super volcano that is there that could erupt at any moment, but now after being in this class and learning about microbes it interests me because of these extremophiles that are able to live in these harsh conditions. These microbes at Yellowstone fascinate me the most because they are able to live in extreme conditions, even more extreme conditions than any human would be able to withstand. It shows us that these tiny microorganisms are better adapted to live in almost any environment, and maybe it proves that these microbes are the true dominant species on earth. Also I think that we underestimate these microbes, they can do some pretty amazing things, like creating energy from light which you said, which humans cant do and also playing a big role in our ecosystem and in our bodies.
ReplyDeleteScotty...I'll be interested in what you have to add to this article now that you've been to the Soda Dam...how does this relate?
ReplyDelete