Thermus aquaticus Found in hot springs, this thermophilic bacterium produces an enzyme, Taq polymerase, which is crucial for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a fundamental technique in molecular biology . Add Comment + Votes ( 2 )
Isabella - August 16, 2025TopThermus aquaticus, a remarkable extremophile bacterium, thrives in near-boiling hot springs where most life cannot survive. Discovered in Yellowstone's thermal pools, this microorganism survives temperatures up to 80°C (176°F) thanks to its heat-stable enzymes. Its most famous contribution to science is Taq polymerase, a heat-resistant enzyme essential for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) DNA amplification - a breakthrough that revolutionized modern genetics and earned a Nobel Prize. This hardy bacterium's ability to function in extreme heat makes it invaluable for biotechnology while demonstrating life's incredible adaptability to Earth's harshest environments.+ Reply ( 1 )Report