Welcome, Guest

Author Topic: Complex Extremophiles  (Read 5386 times)

Dartz

  • ****
  • Posts: 30
Complex Extremophiles
« on: August 13, 2012, 12:31:48 PM »
Sorry if these posts are too frequent, but I'm trying to be as scientifically accurate as possible in my writing. Google helps some, but I can't seem to find some of what I need. My strong suit is Astronomy, and some Physics, but I haven't studied much on Biology to do much.

The basic question is: Can Extremophiles, particularly temperature-based, form complex organisms? Is there anything that would prevent them from doing so?

vh

  • formerly mudkipz
  • *****
  • Posts: 1140
  • "giving heat meaning"
Re: Complex Extremophiles
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2012, 12:54:15 PM »
extremophiles are pretty much all simple and single celled because it's easier to adapt. there are some complex ones though, i think: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_tube_worm


Bla

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 1013
  • The stars died so you can live.
Re: Complex Extremophiles
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2012, 01:00:13 PM »
Pompeii worms'/Alvinella pompejana have parts of their bodies which are persistently 353K, and only single-celled bacteria are known to survive in higher temperatures. They can become 10 cm long.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1208_041208_pompeii_worms.html

smjjames

  • *****
  • Posts: 1128
Re: Complex Extremophiles
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2012, 12:17:30 AM »
Well, is the planet that you are using, a hot planet or something? Because honestly, extremophiles are extreme for Terran life, so, who knows what would evolve on a world that is significantly hotter than ours (but is still able to support complex life).