Microbes

Research on extraterrestrial life is trying to find possible life forms in other planets. The article 'Scientists Study Earthly Microbes for Clues about Extraterrestrial Life' informs us how heat-loving microbes which are present in deep-sea volcanic vents bring about new hypotheses, about how life would have started on Earth and thereby allowing certain researchers to be more hopeful that life would prevail in other parts of the galaxy as well.

We all know earth supports life forms as we are all living in it. Earth is one of the planets of the star Sun. However, we do not know whether other planets of Sun also support life forms. These other planets of sun and planets of other stars constitute the extraterrestrial. These research groups conduct experiments in extreme conditions of hot, cold, and acidic environments in laboratories and check any species survives in these conditions. Few evidences suggest that microbes survive in extreme conditions as given in following examples: In 1960s, in Yellowstone National Park, one type of bacterium was found to survive in a hot spring at a temperature more than 170 degrees Fahrenheit. (Scientists Study Earthly Microbes for Clues about Extraterrestrial Life)

After this finding, many microbes were found to survive in extreme conditions of hot, cold, acidic and salty surroundings. These discoveries shattered the idea that life cannot exist in extreme conditions. These microbes were called "extremophiles." A type of bacteria called "archaea" is found to survive at 235 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to remember that human beings cannot survive beyond 122 degrees Fahrenheit. With the above evidences, scientists guess that life form may possibly exist in other planets too because other planets may have these extreme conditions. These are all leading to the evolution of new theories about how microscopic life may take its form. (Scientists Study Earthly Microbes for Clues about Extraterrestrial Life)

References

Scientists Study Earthly Microbes for Clues about Extraterrestrial Life. Retrieved from http://www.microbe.org/news/extraterrestrial_life.asp Accessed on 3 February 2005