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Microbial Activity in Thawing Arctic Permafrost 2012

How do these organisms adapt to freezing temperatures? Don't they freeze to death?

Thu, 02/09/2012 - 10:08

Cristina Solis

Amber, Perfect question! This expedition will be answering questions such as these in the course of our research. Keep logging back onto PolarTREC and follow my expedition this summer to learn more!

Thu, 07/05/2012 - 20:06

Cristina Solis

In short - it's in the genes - literally. Microbes can survive cold temperatures if the RNA is programmed that way. Organisms that can thrive in cold temperatures (such as -15 degrees Celsius) are called psychrophile. You can find these microbes in cold soils, permafrost, polar ice, cold ocean water, and in snowpacks. Science is amazing - some organisms are adapted to survive and thrive in extremely hot environments like hydrothermal vents while others are best suited for very very cold places, and still others do best in temperatures in between. No matter what your environment, adaptation and organism structure goes a long way to existing in any temperature!