hyperthermophile

A hyperthermophile is an organism that thrives in extremely hot environments—from upward. An optimal temperature for the existence of hyperthermophiles is often above . Hyperthermophiles are often within the domain Archaea, although few bacterial examples exist. Some of them are able to live at temperatures greater than , deep in the ocean where high pressures increase the boiling point of water. Many hyperthermophiles are also able to withstand other environmental extremes, such as high acidity or high radiation levels. Hyperthermophiles are a subset of extremophiles. Their existence may supp