| Microorganisms | Taxonomy | Habitat |
| Fungi | Viruses | Bacteria |
| What are acidophiles? | ||||
| Acidophiles are microorganisms that can live in acidic environments. The acidic environments that acidophiles can live in have a ph level of 1 - 5. Acidophiles are able to survive in this acid habitat because its cells pump out poisonous hydrogen ions fast enough not to damage the DNA inside the nucleus. If they could not pump out the hydrogen ions, then acidophiles would not be able to survive. The ph level inside the acidophiles stays at about 6.5, which is a mild rate. | ||||
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Lactobacillus is important in producing lactic acid commercially. It is also found in the human body in the mouth and intestines. | |||
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| How are acidophiles identified? | ||||
| Acidophiles are identified by their ability to live in acid environments. Each different kind of acidophiles are able to live in a different ph level from 1-5 on the ph scale. | ||||
| How do acidophiles reproduce? | ||||
| In order for acidophiles to reproduce their enviroment must have a phy of 5.4 or less. Acidophiles reproduce through either asexually through mitosis, or sexual reproduction. | ||||
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| What do acidophiles do? | ||||
| Acidophiles are used to recover metallic minerals lost during the mining of coal.It is also used to reduce sulfur levels in coal. Some acidophiles are used as organic acids or solvents. | ||||
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(Links to citations are properly set, but sometimes fail. Try them once again and they usually work.) Photographic
Citations: Stephen
Abedon lecture: |
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