Consider the following statements: 1. Some microorganisms can grow i

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature above the boiling point of water.
  • 2. Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature below the freezing point of water.
  • 3. Some microorganisms can grow in highly acidic environment with a pH below 3.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Only one
Only two
All three
None
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
All three statements are correct.
1. **Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature above the boiling point of water:** This is correct. Thermophiles and hyperthermophiles are types of extremophilic microorganisms (often Archaea and Bacteria) that thrive at very high temperatures, such as those found in hydrothermal vents or hot springs, where temperatures can exceed 100°C and even reach above 120°C under pressure.
2. **Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature below the freezing point of water:** This is correct. Psychrophiles are extremophilic microorganisms that are capable of growth and reproduction in cold temperatures, typically between -15°C and 10°C. They are found in environments like polar ice, glaciers, permafrost, and the deep sea.
3. **Some microorganisms can grow in highly acidic environment with a pH below 3:** This is correct. Acidophiles are extremophilic microorganisms that thrive in highly acidic environments, with optimum pH levels typically between 0 and 3. Examples include species found in acid mine drainage or volcanic sulfur springs.
The ability of microorganisms to survive and proliferate in a vast range of extreme environmental conditions (extremophiles) highlights their remarkable metabolic and physiological diversity, adapted through evolutionary processes.
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